Finding myself: Wiser Walker on road to redemption

The rugby league world knows how good a player Dylan Walker is but now the Sea Eagles five-eighth wants show us all what heights he's been able to reach personally as well.

There have been countless tales of redemption in rugby league over the years. Just because Walker is adding his name to the list doesn't mean his story is any less worthy.

He doesn't seek sympathy, openly admitting this week to being "a douche" and "a goose" in his past.

But he's working hard to change all that.

Walker's 2020 season is starting light years away from where he found himself last year – sitting in the dock at Manly Magistrate's Court defending two domestic violence charges against partner Alexandra Ivkovic.

In May, he was cleared of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault. He was allowed to resume playing after missing the opening nine rounds.

"I paved the way of the path I sort of built myself. So that’s something I’m going to have to live with for the rest of my life," Walker said at Manly's North Narrabeen training headquarters.

"I know how to become a better person, a better man now. It was a good learning curve for me.

"It always used to be about football, football, and I neglected a lot of things in my life. That made me ultimately come off as a bit of a douche, bit of a goose.

"Now I’ve found how I want to be, what kind of man I want to be, what kind of father, son, uncle, brother and a mate – all of the above."

I paved the way of the path I sort of built myself.

Dylan Walker

He knows he's burnt some bridges so he's reached out to friends and family to try to mend them. He's been reading self-improvement books and undergone personal development courses.

The biggest – and most significant – change has been with father, Boydie.

Mending that relationship began two months ago and culminated in Walker proudly representing his father – and mother Judy's – Maori heritage at the All Stars game last weekend.

Walker was one of eight children but never lived with his dad.

"I knew him and would spend every Christmas with him," he said.

"Don’t get me wrong, we spoke but it was never the same as the relationship with my mum and setting up my life here.

"Ever since reconnecting with my dad we’re not just talking about football. We’re talking about culture and I’m learning a lot of other things.

"It was a good relationship before but it was a little distant. I wouldn’t go to him for advice. Or he wouldn’t be my first choice.

"I missed that growing up - I never had that father figure to talk to. It’s made me realise who I want to be and how I want to be.

"He got to the game – he lives up on the Gold Coast – and I got to stay an extra few days with him and just hang out there with some family.

"I finally realised it’s a lot bigger ‘thing’ than just myself. I’ve said it before. I want to be a person people can look up to as a role model, whether you’ve been in some trouble or not."

His renaissance extends to wanting to have a crack at another NSW Origin jersey. He has played four games over three years – his last outing in 2016.

"You’re there if you want to be there. I do burn wanting to do so. But I don’t want to look too far ahead," Walker said.

"I've done that in the past when I’ve looked too far forward and it didn’t really help me.

"In 2017 my name was being tossed up to play Origin after 2016 when I had a shocker. In 2017 I was playing well and some said ‘You should have been in’ and I was filthy at not getting in.

"But I was putting my happiness in someone else’s hands. Now it’s in my own hands."

It would also appear the Manly No.6 jersey is also in safe hands. The 25-year-old finished the season as Daly Cherry-Evans' partner as the Sea Eagles played two weeks of finals football.

He is more than happy to remain there even though fans might be lamenting Walker is not fending off and busting through would-be tacklers at right centre.

"I can always go back and do so. But to get the best football out of myself would be five-eighth," he said.

"I grew up playing five-eighth. It was the position I learned to love and it is how I fell in love with the game.

"Centre only came in because at Souths we had Sutto [John Sutton] and Adam Reynolds there in the halves so it was hard to try and squeeze in there.

"Centre came along and made that my home for a bit.

"But now I’m really excited to play five-eighth. There are a lot of things I’ve learned that I can’t wait to show this year."