Sea Eagles new recruit Dylan Walker on how switch to Manly has reinvigorated him

AS he prepares to make his Sea Eagles debut in the “hot seat”, Dylan Walker has revealed how joining Manly has been the switch he needed to make.

NO INTERNET BEFORE MIDNIGHT -Dylan Walker trains with the team at The Novatel Pacific Bay resort ,Coffs Harbour after signing a contract to play for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in 2016 , .Picture Gregg Porteous

AS he prepares to make his Sea Eagles debut on Saturday, new recruit Dylan Walker has revealed how joining Manly has been the switch he needed to make.

All eyes will be on the former Rabbitoh in the trial with the Ipswich Jets at Pittwater Rugby Park, playing in the five-eighth spot vacated by Kieran Foran.

Walker conceded he probably needed a lifestyle change and the renowned Sea Eagles culture had provided that. He was released by Souths after he and teammate Aaron Gray overdosed on prescription painkillers in September.

That is behind him and Walker said he was focusing on what he is doing now and moving forward.

”Since I’ve been here l’ve been a happier and a better person,” Walker said.

“Definitely coming over here has eased my mind and I’m just really enjoying my time in footy. It’s been awesome moving from Souths to come over to Manly, it’s been a good transition for myself and all the boys have welcomed me with open arms.”

Walker said during negotiations with Manly there were only brief conversations about wearing the No. 6 jersey.

“I was just coming over here for a more of a change more than anything,” he said.

“There are a couple of good mates that I have here that I have had for a while and one of them is Api Koroisau.”

Former Rabbitoh Dylan Walker is enjoying life after his switch to Sydney’s northern beaches.

The pair are currently living together not far from the Sea Eagles’ Narrabeen headquarters and Walker said moving out of home had also made him grow doing his own washing and cooking.

“But definitely playing five-eighth and training there has probably made me a bit more excited as well,” he said. “I’m pretty confident but in saying that there has been a lot of hard work.”

Walker said Sea Eagles head coach Trent Barrett, a former champion five-eighth himself, had been a great help in learning his new role. And he said his combination with halfback Daly Cherry-Evans was developing nicely.

“Me and ‘Chez’ get along pretty well off the field and on the field is pretty good as well,” Walker said.

“We train hard and we’ve been at it since pre-Christmas. We are just enjoying each other’s company.”

Originally published as Sea Eagles new recruit Dylan Walker on how switch to Manly has reinvigorated him