The New Zealand Warriors and Dylan Walker have both addressed speculation that the 29-year-old requested to be released from the final year of his contract with the team.
Two weeks ago, Walker made headlines when a prominent journalist reported that he wished to leave the Warriors and return to Australia for personal reasons.
The reports were unexpected, given that Walker has been a crucial member of Andrew Webster’s team since joining at the beginning of the 2023 season and played a significant role in their success in reaching the finals last year.
However, both Dylan Walker and the Warriors have separately informed the NZ Herald that “neither the player nor his representative has sought a release.
Primarily playing as a lock forward in recent seasons, Walker has occupied various positions throughout his career and is under contract with the club until the end of the 2025 NRL season.
In recent weeks, Walker has been captaining the team following Tohu Harris’s season-ending injury. He has made 16 appearances and has established himself as a key player in the forward pack.
This season, his statistics include one try, 26 tackle busts, 448 tackles with a 93.1 percent tackle efficiency, and 2,069 total running meters, averaging 129 meters per match.
Although both parties have confirmed that no release has been requested for his final year with the club, he might still choose to return to Australia at some point in the future.
Starting November 1, he will be able to negotiate with other teams to secure a contract for after his current deal expires.
The utility began his career in 2013 with the South Sydney Rabbitohs before moving to the Manly Sea Eagles in 2016.
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