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WENDELL SAILOR has advised those who questioned Parramatta's decision to recruit thirtysomething Chris Walker to be wary, because the dual international predicted Walker would match his exploits at St George Illawarra two years ago and show there's plenty of life in the code's old boys.
And Sailor, who played alongside Walker at the Brisbane Broncos in the late 1990s, has backed the former Queensland Origin representative to shine throughout 2011 if he's given a chance.
"I think I've shown, and Mat Rogers has shown, that age is no barrier," the now 36-year-old Sailor told The Sun-Herald. "Preston Campbell [33] is another one as well. Chris is not all that old, he's 31 next month, and while he's had a few injuries like a ruptured Achilles tendon [twice in 2008], he hasn't had that many hits to his body."
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Parramatta is Walker's seventh club after stints with Brisbane, Souths, Sydney Roosters, Melbourne, Gold Coast and French-based Super League team Catalans. His career has been dogged by controversy. In 2004 he was expelled from the Queensland Origin team after a late night altercation with Brisbane police, but his ejection from a bar three years later revealed he had medical problems that required a rest period.
"People might think 'good on Parramatta for giving him a lifeline', but the club will be rewarded because I think he's in for a pretty big season," Sailor said.
"The Chris Walker I've seen is mature; his head is in the right place and I'm really proud of him for that."
The veteran of six Origin matches has made an immediate impact at the Eels by bringing their strength and what their conditioning coach, Hayden Knowles, described as "pure energy" to their pre-season training sessions.
"He lights up the room," Knowles said. "He's keen and he's very eager. Chris has a contagious virus that's called enthusiasm."
Sailor said that spark was one of the earliest memories he had of Walker from 1999 when they played first grade together at the Broncos.
"In 1999 we struggled," he said. "I think we'd lost eight or nine straight and 'Walks' has come in off the bench, and he was scoring freakish tries. He could make something out of nothing, and only the special players can do that.
"I look back on some of the tries he scored in Origin as well and only the blokes with a special gift could pull them off. If he gets an opportunity to cement a spot at Parramatta watch him, because it'll be exciting."
Sailor said it pleased him to hear Walker intended to make his time at Parramatta count, saying he believed the desire stemmed from being a father. "A few of us know how fatherhood changes priorities, it isn't all about 'you' any more and the responsibility of being a dad means you can't be selfish. It's great talking to him about the upcoming season because there is a real spring in his step. As a mate I certainly love him, and I wish him the best."
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-sailor-tells-eels-rivals-20110108-19jay.html
And Sailor, who played alongside Walker at the Brisbane Broncos in the late 1990s, has backed the former Queensland Origin representative to shine throughout 2011 if he's given a chance.
"I think I've shown, and Mat Rogers has shown, that age is no barrier," the now 36-year-old Sailor told The Sun-Herald. "Preston Campbell [33] is another one as well. Chris is not all that old, he's 31 next month, and while he's had a few injuries like a ruptured Achilles tendon [twice in 2008], he hasn't had that many hits to his body."
Advertisement: Story continues below
Parramatta is Walker's seventh club after stints with Brisbane, Souths, Sydney Roosters, Melbourne, Gold Coast and French-based Super League team Catalans. His career has been dogged by controversy. In 2004 he was expelled from the Queensland Origin team after a late night altercation with Brisbane police, but his ejection from a bar three years later revealed he had medical problems that required a rest period.
"People might think 'good on Parramatta for giving him a lifeline', but the club will be rewarded because I think he's in for a pretty big season," Sailor said.
"The Chris Walker I've seen is mature; his head is in the right place and I'm really proud of him for that."
The veteran of six Origin matches has made an immediate impact at the Eels by bringing their strength and what their conditioning coach, Hayden Knowles, described as "pure energy" to their pre-season training sessions.
"He lights up the room," Knowles said. "He's keen and he's very eager. Chris has a contagious virus that's called enthusiasm."
Sailor said that spark was one of the earliest memories he had of Walker from 1999 when they played first grade together at the Broncos.
"In 1999 we struggled," he said. "I think we'd lost eight or nine straight and 'Walks' has come in off the bench, and he was scoring freakish tries. He could make something out of nothing, and only the special players can do that.
"I look back on some of the tries he scored in Origin as well and only the blokes with a special gift could pull them off. If he gets an opportunity to cement a spot at Parramatta watch him, because it'll be exciting."
Sailor said it pleased him to hear Walker intended to make his time at Parramatta count, saying he believed the desire stemmed from being a father. "A few of us know how fatherhood changes priorities, it isn't all about 'you' any more and the responsibility of being a dad means you can't be selfish. It's great talking to him about the upcoming season because there is a real spring in his step. As a mate I certainly love him, and I wish him the best."
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-sailor-tells-eels-rivals-20110108-19jay.html
