Warriors v Sharks (NRL pre-season trial)
Kick-off 9:30pm, Friday 7 Feb
Shark Park, Sydney
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
A new season and diverging career paths have NZ Warriors utility Dylan Walker a little misty eyed.
Over his first two seasons at Mt Smart, the veteran of more than 220 NRL first-grade games had formed a tight onfield and off-field partnership with popular clubmate Jazz Tevaga, with their shaven scalps earning them the collective moniker of 'Bald Brothers'.
Alas, the fraternity is no more, with Tevaga's contract not renewed at the end of 2024 and his departure across the Tasman to find alternative employment.
Ironically, he's found it at Walker's old Manly Sea Eagles stomping ground.
"I don't know what Jazz is doing with his hair at the moment," chuckles Walker. "He had a mohawk going - a Mister T one that probably suited him.
"He's living on the beaches close to where I used to be, so I've caught up with him a few times during the break.
"I went back to the beaches on the weekend and he's going all right. He's enjoying it and it's a good place to live.
"I wish him nothing but the best, but when it comes to round two, I've got nothing for him."
To mark a new chapter in his Warriors tenure, Walker, 30, is growing his own locks out, although passing years and rugby league wear-and-tear mean he's unlikely to sport a mullet any time soon.
'Bald Brothers' Jazz Tevaga and Dylan Walker celebrate a try for the Warriors Photo: SCOTT RADFORD-CHISHOLM
The break-up is symptomatic of a new culture developing in the team, with the departures of Tevaga and front-rower enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake, and retirements of captain Tohu Harris and stalwart Shaun Johnson.
"This year is a totally new group," reflected Walker. "We've had some players leave, a lot of guys have moved on and it's opened up a door for a lot of new guys.
"Moving forward, we've just taken this as an opportunity to get better, and for the new group to create a culture that we want and leave it for the younger guys that come through next.
"You've got to instil that and practice it every day."
Walker's seniority makes him an outside candidate to fill the captaincy vacancy. He has filled the role in the past, but probably sits behind frontrunners Mitch Barnett and James Fisher-Harris, with an appointment due sometime over the next two weeks.
"When you get older, you just fill those roles, especially with the experience I bring," he said. "I've been around a little bit and played a lot of football.
"We've lost a lot of senior players with lots of games' experience, but we've also gained some through Fish and Erin [Clark]. We've got a great bunch of boys that are working hard and no-one's above anyone.
Dylan Walker at Warriors training Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
"Everyone wants to compete and lead in their own individual way."
Although he has been used primarily as a Swiss army knife off the bench, Walker may also emerge as a starter in Harris' No.13 locking jersey.
He's been passed over by coach Andrew Webster for Friday's pre-season opener against Cronulla Sharks, selected on an extended 15-man interchange, with Clark preferred initially.
"I just try to be the best teammate and team player I can be," he said. "If that's something Webby sees, then he does, but if not, I will just put my hand up where I need to be.
"I just want to go out there, play some good football and compete."
