Dylan Walker selected to play for Manly Sea Eagles ahead of court appearance

Dylan Walker played 40 minutes in the centres for Manly on Saturday night, three days ahead of a court appearance where he will plead not guilty to domestic violence charges.

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Dylan Walker played 40 minutes in the centres for Manly on Saturday night, three days ahead of a court appearance where he will plead not guilty to domestic violence charges.

Despite calls to ban players facing serious charges, the Sea Eagles opted to select Walker to take on Cronulla in their trial at Shark Park.

Walker had a number of runs while a Daly Cherry-Evans forward pass denied him a try in the first half.

The Sea Eagles led 18-12 at halftime against an under-strength Cronulla side before they rested their established stars in the second 40 minutes. The Sharks’ younger players led by

Dylan Walker in action ahead of his court appearance with the Sharks. Digital image by Nathan Hopkins © NRL Photos

Kyle Flanagan capitalised to claim a 28-22 win.

The call to name Walker in a 30-man squad was left to Manly coach Des Hasler. Hasler has supported Walker and his partner following the alleged domestic violence incident.

Asked if he felt it was appropriate to play him in the circumstances, he said: “Yeah. It was ok. A lot has been written and there is still lots of debate around it. He (Dylan) has got a big week coming up this week. I thought he was ok tonight, given the conditions were pretty

ordinary.”

If Walker is found guilty, his NRL career could be over judging by the governing body’s strong stance on former North Queensland fullback Ben Barba.

Barba was handed a life ban despite not being charged following an altercation with his partner at Townsville Casino.

Tom Trbojevic comes from the field with a knee injury. Digital image by Nathan Hopkins © NRL Photos

Trbojevic injured

Manly will be sweating on the fitness of star fullback Tom Trbojevic. The NSW Origin back limped off just before halftime with a leg injury and didn’t return.

Taupau in for a big year:

Marty Taupau is ready to reclaim his mantle as one of the NRL’s most damaging forwards.

Taupau destroyed the undermanned Sharks with his barnstorming charges.

If he can consistently replicate this form, he will make Manly’s pack extremely formidable.

Perhaps Des Hasler is the man to rekindle Taupau’s terrorising best.

Josh Morris charges through the Manly pack (AAP Image/Craig Golding)

Cherry-Evans looks sharp:

Daly Cherry-Evans picked up where he left off last season with an impressive performance.

Cherry-Evans scored a try while he directed the Sea Eagles around the park with his pinpoint kicking game in a polished 40-minute stint.

Morris revival in the Shire:

Josh Morris will give Cronulla much needed experience in the outside backs.

The former Bulldog and Dragon was solid on debut for the Sharks with a try.

Morris still has plenty of speed and league smarts, so I’m tipping him to be a quality signing for Cronulla.

Xerri oozes x-factor:

Remember the name, Bronson Xerri.

The 18-year-old Aquinas Colts junior was brilliant for the Sharks with a try while he set up another two.

Xerri is highly rated at Cronulla.

He scored a try in the Sharks’ Jersey Flegg grand final win over Penrith last year.

He also snared a hat-trick on debut for Newtown in the NSW Intrust Super Premiership.

Big, strong and fast, Xerri is the complete package.