RYAN Walker made three NRL appearances as a winger for the Penrith Panthers in 2011.
He won the Newcastle Rugby League player of the year award in 2017 as five-eighth for Wests.
In 2019, while still at the Rosellas, he received man-of-the-match in the grand final after the second-rower scored a hat-trick.
It's little wonder current Wests coach Todd Lowrie describes Walker as "just a natural footy player" who "can play anywhere".
This kind of flexibility to slide between positions at any given point also fills Lowrie with confidence ahead of 2021, as Walker returns to the halves.
"Walks is playing in the halves," Lowrie said.
"He's really keen to play in the halves and we want to give him an opportunity there. He's a natural leader both on and off the field for us so it was a pretty easy decision to let him jump in there and provide a bit of guidance.
"Being that we are a bit younger than we have been previously, we were happy to give him a crack in there and lead us around the field."
Lowrie said 35-year-old Walker, who suffered multiple facial fractures last season but returned for the semis, has worked on his all-round game over the summer months.
"His running game is obviously his strength but he worked a lot in the off season on his ball playing, skills as a half and dropped a few kilos," Lowrie said.
"He's certainly keen and willing and able. He's a really good clubman."
Lowrie feels Walker and new recruit Hayden Loughrey, who will line-up at No.7, will "compliment each other in the halves".
"Hopefully he'll be good for us," Lowrie said.
"He's a good player, still mixed up in the Knights system. He spends the first part of the week in with them and then comes back to us, but he's fitted in really well.
"He's had a few dramas with injury over the last couple of years but hopefully that's behind him and he can play his best footy for us."
It will be a completely different spine to the 2019 decider with Luke Walsh joining Central and Chad O'Donnell at Maitland. Ryan Walsh and Sam Keenan are no longer listed at Wests.
Stephen Widders is named at fullback for the Rosellas, who meet the Goannas at Cessnock Sportsground on Thursday night (6:45pm).
"They'll be very good. I watched how they beat Souths last week and I expect the same. I don't think we're under any illusion about what we're walk into up there," Lowrie said.
Joe Bromage has switched from Cessnock to Wests but may be ruled out of round two with contract clauses.
The Rosellas had their season opener against Lakes washed out.
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