To say this pre-season has been different for Jack Walker would be something of an understatement. The full-back entered pre-season as a Hull FC player, but after being asked to train with the club’s academy and college players, he was made aware that he had no future at the MKM Stadium.
Walker was eventually released from his Hull contract on November 14, despite having a year still to run, alongside Morgan Smith and Liam Tindall. However, while Smith has found himself a new club with Sheffield Eagles, Walker hasn’t been quite as fortunate.
He remains without a club for 2025 and has spent the last few weeks training on his own and attempting to put himself through his paces as he hunts for a new opportunity in the game. That’s a challenge he didn’t see himself taking on a few months back, but it’s one that he is trying to make the most of.
“It’s been tough, really tough actually with me having to plan out my own pre-season and do a majority of sessions on my own,” Walker told Serious About RL when asked about the last month. “I just see it as another challenge and another way to get better really, in the sense where I don’t need people to push me.
“I’m addicted to padel so I’ve been all over that. I’ve been doing my runs and doing what I would do if I was training, the only thing I’ve missed is having a ball in my hand and being around that team culture.”
He added: “It’s a battle of doing that extra set even though no one is watching, it’s rough but so far so good. I’m feeling really good, feeling strong and I’m the heaviest I’ve ever been as well. I feel good.”
Walker spent just one season with Hull FC after joining the club ahead of what turned out to be a difficult 2024 Super League campaign for the Black and Whites. The 25-year-old made 14 appearances for the west Hull outfit and scored five tries with his effort in a win over Wigan Warriors being an undoubted highlight.
However, he never got the chance to prove himself to incoming head coach John Cartwright, with his exit coming before he even had the chance to meet the Australian.
Hull FC can confirm that Liam Tindall, Morgan Smith and Jack Walker have all departed the club with immediate effect.
— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) November 14, 2024
“I was gutted, I still am gutted,” Walker added when asked how he reflects on his Hull exit, a few weeks on. “I was under the impression that I was going to prove myself to the new coach.
“It was the same at Leeds when Rohan Smith came in. I thought it was a great chance to show what I’m about and show what I’ve got and I was shown the door straight away there. It’s not nice not being wanted and not being able to prove yourself.
“It is what it is and it’s business at the end of the day. I wish it could have been dealt with better but business is business and it’s onto the next job.
“I’ve never met John, I didn’t get the chance to talk to him. It was pretty much done before he came in. I had about two weeks training with the academy and college because I was told I wasn’t wanted anywhere near the first team. I didn’t get a chance to shake his hand, say hello and have an adult conversation but business is business.”
So what’s next for the former Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls, Hull FC and Hull KR man?
“There’s been talks with a few clubs, there was interest from Leeds and a couple of Championship sides but it’s all gone quiet really,” Walker added.
“There’s been a level of interest but it’s gone pretty stale to be fair now and quiet. No one is really interested at the moment.
“It’s rugby league and injuries happen. With all the injuries and adversity I’ve had, I would never wish injury upon anyone, but it’s rugby league, there will be injuries this year and hopefully I’m next in line for whoever needs a full-back.”
John
December 6, 2024 at 8:55 am
Good luck lad I should imagine you will get a chance soon mate and I hope you get the chance you deserve from a hull fc fan