Courtesy of Joel Gould at The QT
THE IPSWICH Jets have received a massive boost with former Origin star Chris Walker set to return to the Intrust Super Cup…if he can lose 10 kilos.
Walker retired after the NRL State Championship final when he returned from a PCL injury to help the Jets defeat the Newcastle Knights.
The former Origin star played a crucial role in the Jets’ 2015 season, which saw them win the Intrust Super Cup for the first time in the club’s history.
But the 36-year-old has missed the camaraderie of his Jets teammates and wants to play under his brothers Ben and Shane again.
“I enjoyed my time so much last year that being away from the boys, I have missed it,” he said.
“I said to Shane that if I can get back down to 90 kilos by the end of this year I’ll be fine.
“I’ve blown out to 100 because I have just been working, but I’ll be fine to get back down.
“I was between 90 and 92.5 kilos last year. That’s my playing weight and what I was last year and when I played Origin.”
Walker was a revelation last year for the Jets when he returned to the rugby league arena, following his NRL retirement at the end of 2011 after 151 games at the top level.
The former Broncos and Roosters star was always dangerous out wide and was a marked man by opposition sides, allowing his support players in attack to thrive after Walker’s crafty incisions.
A knee injury interrupted his season but he is ready to rock again.
“I just want to get back and make sure my knee is fine after I did my PCL last year,” he said.
“It was a nine or 10 week injury but I came back after six weeks.
“But I don’t want to play NRL again.
“I just want to get back with the boys, mentor the young guys we have at the Jets and have a bit of fun with them.
“It is so good being part of the team work at the Jets.
“I will only be 37 next year and I reckon I can still mix it with the young boys.”