Hull FC’s Leeds Rhinos loanee Jack Walker suffers heartbreaking injury

When you think about Jack Walker sadly one of the first words that comes to mind is ‘injury.’

The fullback burst onto the scene impressively with a hat-trick on debut at 17 against Doncaster in the Challenge Cup. That year he would go on to wrestle away the fullback spot from Ashton Golding and become the youngest player to win a Grand Final, an accolade he stole from teammate Stevie Ward and still holds.

With buckets of potential, he’s never really fulfilled on the excitement that existed around him largely due to injury. At the end of 2019, he looked set for a massive campaign in 2020 and was certainly delivering with assists against Hull FC, Hull KR and Salford in Leeds’ first three games of the season coupled with tries against Hull KR, Salford and Warrington in Leeds’ first four games.

However, in the game against Warrington Walker picked up a foot injury which would see him miss most of the season. He did return to fitness in time for the Challenge Cup Final Leeds would win against Salford but by then Richie Myler had made himself undroppable at fullback.

2021 promised to be an interesting battle between the two but a pre-season injury ensured he wouldn’t play a minute.

He worked hard in pre-season and a ban to Blake Austin opened the door for him to start the season at fullback but after a while out he took his time to get back to his best. Just as he was he picked up another injury and by the time he returned Zak Hardaker was at the club so he was sent on loan to Hull FC knowing he needed game time to become the brilliant player he has the potential to be but once again he has copped a damning injured.

He limped off at the MKM Stadium as Hull lost to St Helens today 60-6. It was again his foot causing the problem as it did in 2020 against Warrington with Walker reportedly hearing a “crack” in his foot as the incident occurred.

It could be his season over and will raise questions about his future. It seemed he had the choice to pick between a Leeds return or a permanent move to Hull FC. It’ll be interesting to see if another injury could make things more complicated for the fullback.

Either way, it’s devastating blow for a great young player who has the potential to be even better. He was in terrific form with a try today and last week against Huddersfield.