Walker's recent State of Origin performance revealed the duality of his skills.
On April 1, Billy Slater delighted fans with an idyllic Instagram moment.
He was reclined on his lush lawn, affectionately stroking his Aussie shepherd while sipping coffee, as nature sang around him.
The only sign of his legendary rugby league life was a football resting beneath him.
As he savored the last drops of coffee, one could easily envision him soon standing, casually declaring "right," and striding away, football in hand, just as he did in his legendary Origin days over twenty years ago.
The scene was picturesque, but with Origin I just eight weeks away, it was time for business.
Discussions about the State of Origin kick off well in advance; sometimes they can be quite tedious, but for Slater and any reputable state coach, there's no such thing as too early.
This year, Slater faced an unexpected challenge when halfback Tom Dearden, a key player for 2025, suffered a syndesmosis ankle injury just two and a half weeks before Game I.
The choices were limited compared to those available to New South Wales- a recurrent theme- yet some reliable options remained.
Daly Cherry-Evans, a former captain, is an established Origin talent, while Jamal Fogarty and Jake Clifford bring experience and solidity to the team.