Redback71
First Grade
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not sure if anyone has seen this yet
Walker making impression on Titans coach
Tuesday, January 9, 2007 - 5:20 PM
Impressed by Chris Walker's work ethic at training, Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright says he's leaning towards signing the controversial winger to the NRL club.
The Titans picked Walker off the scrapheap and offered him an NRL lifeline in November but a final decision on whether to sign the 26-year-old won't be made until after the club's three trials.
So far the former Queensland Origin player, released by Melbourne last year, hasn't put a foot wrong.
"Chris has done everything asked of him," said Cartwright, who worked with Walker at the Roosters where he was assistant coach under Ricky Stuart.
"He's training really well and from my time at the Roosters with him I know fitness and football is not a problem with Chris.
"We'll assess Chris at the end of the trials but he's not going anywhere.
"He's only got to keep doing what he's doing and there'll be a (first grade) spot for him somewhere."
Walker knows this could be his final chance to play NRL following stints with Brisbane, Souths, Sydney Roosters and the Storm before his move to the Gold Coast.
He gained a bad boy reputation during his time in Sydney but Cartwright believes the former Queensland Origin player is reformed.
"He's come here with a clean slate and he's done nothing wrong," the coach told reporters at an open training session.
"His training ethic is first-class and he's a positive member of the squad.
"If he maintains that through the trials I see no reason why he wouldn't be pushing for a first grade spot."
Cartwright said he had spoken to his squad about the importance of developing the right attitude as competition for spots heats up.
"I had a talk to them yesterday and a lot of times you have to pick the side on attitude," he added.
"We've got 31 in the squad here and I can't fault any one of them.
"If they're all level on attitude then it will come down to how they perform in the trials.
"It's a warm fuzzy feeling at the moment but they're all competing for 17 spots.
"That's a good thing to have in your club. I couldn't be happier at the moment."
The Titans play their first trial match on February 17 against Melbourne in Coffs Harbour.
They will have two more games in which to gel as a team - against Parramatta and Penrith - before taking on St George Illawarra in their NRL premiership debut at Suncorp Stadium on March 18.
Source: AAP
http://nrl.com.au/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/3810/Default.aspx
Walker making impression on Titans coach
Tuesday, January 9, 2007 - 5:20 PM
Impressed by Chris Walker's work ethic at training, Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright says he's leaning towards signing the controversial winger to the NRL club.
The Titans picked Walker off the scrapheap and offered him an NRL lifeline in November but a final decision on whether to sign the 26-year-old won't be made until after the club's three trials.
So far the former Queensland Origin player, released by Melbourne last year, hasn't put a foot wrong.
"Chris has done everything asked of him," said Cartwright, who worked with Walker at the Roosters where he was assistant coach under Ricky Stuart.
"He's training really well and from my time at the Roosters with him I know fitness and football is not a problem with Chris.
"We'll assess Chris at the end of the trials but he's not going anywhere.
"He's only got to keep doing what he's doing and there'll be a (first grade) spot for him somewhere."
Walker knows this could be his final chance to play NRL following stints with Brisbane, Souths, Sydney Roosters and the Storm before his move to the Gold Coast.
He gained a bad boy reputation during his time in Sydney but Cartwright believes the former Queensland Origin player is reformed.
"He's come here with a clean slate and he's done nothing wrong," the coach told reporters at an open training session.
"His training ethic is first-class and he's a positive member of the squad.
"If he maintains that through the trials I see no reason why he wouldn't be pushing for a first grade spot."
Cartwright said he had spoken to his squad about the importance of developing the right attitude as competition for spots heats up.
"I had a talk to them yesterday and a lot of times you have to pick the side on attitude," he added.
"We've got 31 in the squad here and I can't fault any one of them.
"If they're all level on attitude then it will come down to how they perform in the trials.
"It's a warm fuzzy feeling at the moment but they're all competing for 17 spots.
"That's a good thing to have in your club. I couldn't be happier at the moment."
The Titans play their first trial match on February 17 against Melbourne in Coffs Harbour.
They will have two more games in which to gel as a team - against Parramatta and Penrith - before taking on St George Illawarra in their NRL premiership debut at Suncorp Stadium on March 18.
Source: AAP
http://nrl.com.au/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/3810/Default.aspx
