NSW State of Origin coach Laurie Daley says he will be keeping a close eye on Manly recruit Dylan Walker as he shapes as a bolter for the Blues' No.6 jersey.
After formally announcing his signing with the Sea Eagles this week, Walker expressed his desire to fill the Manly five-eighth role vacated by Kieran Foran.
Walker has already received the support of former Blues coach Phil Gould who this week predicted the former South Sydney centre will fight his way into NSW team next season.
"Dylan Walker .. Done deal .. He will be NSW Origin 6," Gould, the Blues' most successful coach, wrote on Twitter.
While Gould was already predicting Walker would make a fist of five-eighth and unseat Mitchell Pearce as the NSW No.6, Daley said he would be watching with interest.
The premiership winner was already on Daley's radar, having made his Australian debut during the 2014 Four Nations and was brought in as NSW's 18th man for Origin II this year.
A powerful ball-runner blessed with great strength and speed, Daley advised Walker not to change his game up too much.
Manly coach Trent Barrett has already flagged plans for halfback Daly Cherry-Evans to play on both sides of the field meaning he is likely to take on the bulk of the playmaking duties, leaving Walker free to play a ball-running role.
"Dylan just has to be Dylan," Daley said on Friday at the launch of the Blues' 2016 jersey.
"His skill-set is he likes to run the footy and, when he does, he's quite dangerous.
"As a five-eighth, you don't want to see that taken away from him and thinking he has to become a ball player. He's just got to play to his strengths and that will shine through with Manly and, if they're playing well, then we'll see what happens then."
Daley, who shifted between the centres and five-eighth during his successful playing career, predicted Walker would make a smooth adjustment.
"After playing in the centres, you get a greater appreciation for what centres are looking for when you play five-eighth," Daley said.
"He's a talent. He's still 21.
"It's a different challenge for him and a different group of boys. He might find it a little bit difficult at the start and it'll take him a while to feel comfortable as a six.
"Given he's had some experience there in the juniors, he'll pick it up quite easily."
