NRL: Des Hasler makes call on possible Dylan Walker return
Manly coach Des Hasler says star centre Dylan Walker will be fit to play next week if allowed.
All eyes will be on the Federal Court from Monday, with Justice Melissa Perry expected to hand down her judgment in Jack de Belin's challenge to the NRL's "no fault" stand-down policy.
Should the court rule in de Belin's favour, the St George Illawarra lock is likely to be available to face Parramatta next Sunday.
The decision will also have ramifications for Walker and Penrith utility Tyrone May, who have also been sidelined due to the controversial policy.
AAP
It's understood the trio has continued training with their NRL teams despite being unable to participate in matches.
De Belin was stood down after he was charged with the aggravated sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman, with his case adjourned until late May.
Walker, meanwhile, is expected to return to court on May 10, the same day Manly play during Magic Round, to fight two counts of assault.
However Hasler declared he would have no hesitation selecting Walker should he be available the previous round against the Bulldogs.
Dylan Walker has been stood down by the NRL. AAP
"He's been doing a little bit of rehab but he'll be right, yeah. He's fresh and ready to go," Hasler said on Saturday.
The two-time premiership-winning coach admits the result of de Belin's court case could be a pivotal moment for the league.
"There's a lot of stakeholders involved in that decision - player, club, individuals, families and of course the NRL's bigger case of corporate support and revenue," he said.
"Someone described it as a changing effect on the game and I think it will."
May has also been stood down under the new policy due to filming and disseminating images without consent and also returns to court next week.
