Son rises for Storm

BILLY Walters, the son of Maroons coach Kevin Walters, will make his NRL debut for Melbourne against St George Illawarra tonight.

Cameron Munster is one of six Storm players out on State of Origin duties, which paves the way for Walters to wear the No.6 jersey against the Dragons.

Walters (pictured) pairs with No.7 Brodie Croft and they’ll line up against St George rookie halves duo Jai Field and Darren Nicholls, who have just eight NRL games between them. It means the four halves have a combined 43 games’ NRL experience heading into the Round 16 clash.

Late-blooming 25-year-old Walters says it is a dream come true to follow in his father’s footsteps and make his firstgrade debut.

“It’s been a bit of a wait but I can’t wait to get out there and rip, especially for such a great club. It’s going to be very special,” Walters said.

“I’ve kind of gone a different path to what most boys would. I had to go play colts in the Queensland competition and then Queensland Cup, but was lucky enough to get here.

“I don’t think I was mature enough and physically ready even for 20s when I was a 20year-old. So it was about going back and learning how to play with my physical stature. Once I did become a man it did become a bit easier.

“I cop a bit of stick sometimes (for my name) but I wouldn’t have it any other way. To have such a legend be my Dad, he’s been very handy and helpful in my football game.”

Walters Sr will leave the Queensland camp tonight to be at WIN Stadium for his son’s debut.

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy played alongside Kevin Walters at Canberra and has known Billy all his life, but said there were no special treatment. “Craig doesn’t want me to be Cameron Munster, he wants me to be Billy Walters. Obviously big shoes to fill but he just wants me to know my role and isn’t expecting anything flash,” Walters said.