It can happen to a lot of youngsters who break into the team early, lets hope his career takes the lines of Johnny Lomax rather than Stevie Ward

Walker has a bad combination of small size and big heart. Can't help feeling if he chunked up a bit he might be more resilient to some injuries to do with muscle/ligament. Shock injuries are harder to mitigate, but he looks hurt in almost every tackle (then again so does Hurrell... who may be bigger but maybe not in peak condition on the other end of the scale..)

We have one or two fullbacks coming through the ranks too - I honestly don't see Myler as the solution long-term. He had a great performance in the CC final, and his skill and awareness is world class sometimes, but I felt we started to see the bad side of Myler's game appear again towards the end of the season too.

Another surgery and some more time for Walker must be needed - hopefully he'll be back fully fit, strong and raring to go from Easter ish next year. He was looking like the next England full-back a couple of years ago with MoM performances regularly.

Having had a full shoulder reconstruction over 6 years ago, I feel for the kid. Not only will he struggle with full movement (physio 2-3 times a week while playing will help) but arthritis will start to develop and affect him in his later career. I’m sure Barrie Mac will advise him.

The worry is if Myler gets injured we don`t really have many options at FB as I would be loathed to move Handley and Sutcliffe is far too slow.
Whilst Golding was never as good as Walker in attack I do feel his physical presence was better suited in defence and as a Golding fan always wanted him to stay at Leeds.
Maybe Walker could slot in to the HB role in the future?

If is out 4 months that would mean he is fit for the start of the season ?

starting to worry about the lad now

The problematic thing is that he keeps losing the opportunity to bulk up and work on his game during pre season because he's recovering from surgery. Must be very frustrating for both he and the club. Hope he can break the pattern.

When will purple ever realise that 'bulking up' isn't a cure all scenario!
Annoys me...

Adding strength to a frame that (for a professional rugby league player) is frail seems like a no brainer to me. I find myself constantly checking to see that he's getting up after being tackled. Not suggesting that he needs to Mr Universe, he just needs to add some physical resilience to his undoubted talent if he wants to progress in the upper echelons of the support. How many NRL fullbacks way in at less than thirteen stone?

RL is a physical sport. Players are full-time sportsmen. It’s not a question of bulk alone but when you watch NRL it’s clear that the average level of physical strength is higher than in SL. Jack seems one of those lads who struggles to gain mass but I do think he needs to work on it.

It certainly is in the backs. Our backs are way below the average NRL back's level in terms of physicality. Personally, I think it's why we struggle the most at the top level

Agree with that. Our forwards can just about stand toe to toe, but halves and three quarters lag behind.

Luke Keary of Sydney Roosters according to the stats is a bit taller than Walker but weighs slightly less and he does not seem to get injured like Walker.
So he is hardly what you could call bulked up.
Its probably to do with genetics with Walker more than anything.

He also made is debut 3 years later than Walker did. It seems the earlier you make your debut, the more injury prone the player is, especially in their early 20s. It's hardly a surprise really, a kids body is not robust enough to withstand the stress it's put under playing top level RL on a regular basis. And if they do manage to make it through their early 20s, then their careers seem to peak/end early.

Keary is also a half not a full back, so he is not routinely getting smashed while taking high balls or having to clear his lines after kick returns. I think full back is now the most athletically demanding position in the game and you have to be strong, fast and extremely physically resilient to be a top liner. Fingers crossed Jack gets there. He does not lack bottle.