Walker getting on with life after return

Manly centre Dylan Walker says he is attempting to get on with life following his return to the NRL after being cleared of domestic violence charges.

Dylan Walker looks towards goal

Copping it from fans is nothing new for controversial Manly centre Dylan Walker. (AAP)

Dylan Walker has been forced to cop jeers and abuse from the sidelines since being allowed back on an NRL field.

But the divisive and fiery Manly centre says that's nothing new.

The 24-year-old is attempting to turn over a new leaf after being suspended for the opening nine rounds while answering domestic violence charges.

He was the second player stood down under the NRL's hardline "no fault" rule but has returned for the Sea Eagles' past two matches after being found not guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.

Since making his debut with South Sydney in 2013, Walker has refused to take a backwards step and has been one of the competition's most notorious sledgers.

Last year, he was involved in a brutal one-on-one punch up with Melbourne's Curtis Scott during which he suffered a fractured eye socket.

And with that sort of reputation, fans on the hill and in the stands alike have lined him up, wanting to give him a piece of their minds.

"I think I've copped it for the last three or four years to be honest," Walker said.

"It's nothing new to me, they're entitled to it; some people are going to be upset with it.

"But what I can do is try to perform for my team each week."

Walker says there isn't much he can do to change perceptions.

And while there are some who would target him, there are just as many who have welcomed him back with open arms.

"There are fans out there who have been really good to me and I'd like to thank them," Walker said.

"It helps me a lot when people come up and say good things. For me it's just training and playing hard; I can't control what people say."

Walker showed flashes of brilliance in his second game back, Friday night's 36-18 loss to the Gold Coast.

He almost created two first-half tries only to be denied first up for offside and then for a forward pass.

He also looked set to score himself when he scooped up the ball on his 10m line and found no one in front of him.

But instead of trying to run near the length of the field, he handed off to winger Reuben Garrick.

"I think it was the lungs burning," Walker said.

"I decided to pass it. I saw Reuben Garrick there, he's one of the fastest blokes in the team. I didn't want to get tracked down."


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Source: AAP


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