Seagulls unveil No.1
Talented Storm fullback finally gets to strut his stuff after injury run
MELBOURNE Storm under-20s graduate Talor Walters will pull on a Tweed Heads black and white jumper for the first time tonight.
Walters had been pencilled in for the fullback role the last two pre-season matches but missed both as a precaution after rolling his ankle.
But Seagulls fans will now get their first chance to see the 20year-old in full flight with the No.1 on his back in a trial against Souths Logan kicking off at 6.30pm at Piggabeen Sports Complex.
Walters hails from Rotorua on New Zealand’s North Island. There he almost exclusively played rugby union, only switching to the 13-man game when he moved to Australia four years ago, attending renowned league school Keebra Park.
Following a stint at Burleigh, Walters was picked up by the Storm for the 2016 season but was plagued by injury.
“We learnt heaps but I had a pretty bad season,” Walters said. “I did my knee in our first trial and I needed surgery so I was out for about three months.
“I ended up playing 11 games and then I broke my wrist.”
The setbacks didn’t help the NRL dream he continues to pursue, costing him the chance to work with Craig Bellamy’s first grade squad.
“Our other fullback Jesse Arthars got to fly down to a few trainings when they were short on outside backs during the first side of the season,” he said.
At season’s end, Walters decided to return to the Gold Coast for 2017 to be closer again to his family including daughter Mia.
The Seagulls will take a strengthened side into tonight’s trial, with Sam Saville, Karl Lawton, Kurt Bernard and Ben Nakubuwai all back from Titans duties. Damaging second-rower Lamar Liolevave also returns.
The match will be preceded by an under-20s clash between Gold Coast and Brisbane starting at 4.45pm.