Walker warming up nicely to five-eighth

It's back to a familiar position for Dylan Walker but with a totally new outlook.

The former NSW Origin player had proven himself a top-notch centre – he won a premiership there with South Sydney in 2014 and was the Dally M Centre of the Year in 2017.

But since he joined the Sea Eagles in 2016 he has been put into five-eighth for lengthy stints – 13 games in 2016 and 10 games in 2018.

He's not necessarily been a reluctant No.6. He just never felt totally comfortable there.

"When I first did it in 2016 I think the timing was off. I was coming to a new club, I was still young, 20 or 21. I feel like it's a role you have to grow into and I felt like I've done that the past couple of years," Walker said ahead of Sunday's clash with the Raiders in Canberra.

"I understand football a lot more and look at it a different way.

"From Baz [former coach Trent Barrett] to Des [Hasler] to [Daly] Cherry-Evans, Trent Hodkinson, I've learned ... a lot.

"I trained in the centres the whole pre-season but I've always had my eye on the halves and how the game is played.

"I feel like I have a bit more of that dominant voice and personality for that position.

"I enjoy centre but five-eighth has been a new challenge for me and has shed a new light on a different side of football."

I'm learning off one of the best halfbacks in the game and off Des

Dylan Walker on life with the Sea Eagles

Manly has won four of the five past games with Walker at five-eighth. He is running for over 80 metres per game and has made eight off-loads with an average of two tackle-busts and a try assist in each match.

His work in tandem with No.7 Cherry-Evans is reaping great dividends for the Sea Eagles.

"I’ve got to work really hard at my game and me and 'Chez' are always talking about it, staying back to practise things like kicking and game plans," Walker said.

"I love that, being able to really break the game down – it's like learning the ropes again. I'm learning off one of the best halfbacks in the game and off Des, who is a very calculating man."

Cherry-Evans doesn't mind tutoring the 24-year-old either.

"He's doing really well," the Test and Origin half said.

"I just think of his last few years of footy – he played an amazing year at centre – but has come into the halves at certain stages over the last three or four years and I think it's helped him understand the position a lot better, by having those previous moments there.

"Along now with his experience in the game, he's starting to really 'get' rugby league and the five-eighth position.

"I honestly couldn't tell you if that's his position long-term. But as for right now he's playing really good football, he wants to learn, he wants to improve, and I feel he's contributing to the side nicely."

As for the extras after each session, Cherry-Evans finally caved in.

"At first he hung around like an annoying smell," he said laughing.

"Then he started to ask if he could have a kick, could he borrow some of the footies, and I begrudgingly gave him some.

"But now we just share them together and work together. It's all been very good."