Jack Walker's only been back at Hull FC a few days but is already getting wound-up by team-mates about his Hull KR history.
The exciting full-back played six games for Hull on loan from Leeds last year, famously scoring on debut in the Magic Weekend derby victory over fierce rivals Rovers. But after being discarded by Rhinos to Championship Bradford at the start of this year, he ironically finished the campaign with an impressive 10-game stint in KR colours.
Walker, 24, helped Rovers reach Super League’s semi-finals, scoring five tries - as he rediscovered the form which made him one of its brightest young talents not long ago. Many Rovers fans hoped he’d secure a permanent deal but nothing came - and instead he bagged a two-year contract with their huge foes.
After his first week of pre-season training, asked if he’d been getting any stick, Walker admitted: “You know what, I have had quite a bit! Just sly little comments from some of the boys: Red and white and all that jazz.
“But it’s not been too bad. And I came here first. I won’t say who’s been saying it. I’m not a snitch. Snitches get stitches!”
While Rovers have soared - they also reached Wembley but Walker was Cup-tied - FC slumped to tenth this season and are in dire need of a vastly-improved 2024. The ex-England Knights star is looking forward to aiding that and working under Aussie boss Tony Smith who, of course, made the same big cross-city move last year. He said: “I’m really hopeful for next season. The people that Tony has brought in, the size of the pack and Tony is such a good coach, too, so it’s exciting times.”
Leeds-born Walker will face a battle for a start, mind, given Aussie full-back Tex Hoy made that gig his own last time around. But he insisted: “Tony’s just said fight for your role. Fight for that number one spot. I’m always going to put my best foot forward.
“It’s good to have such good competition there with Tex and Davy (Litten). I’m still young. It feels like I’ve been around a while but I’m still only 24 and still have things to learn. If I can pick up some things from them and they can do the same with me, that’s great.”
Walker did become the youngest-ever Super League Grand Final winner when he helped Leeds beat Castleford in 2017 aged just 18 years and 60 days. He’s endured some horrendous bad luck with serious injuries since but looks fully firing again now and ready to kick-start his career. That short-team deal with KR in June proved crucial and Walker conceded: “It was massive.
“I’m forever in debt to the Robins for giving me that opportunity to get back on the map. From being injured, being injured again, then going to Bradford and not really getting a sniff in Super League, they gave me an opportunity. To play in the business end of the season was great. Now I’m looking forward to going again with Hull.”