Wait is over for Walker

Chris Walker’s remarkable comeback from injury is set to be complete at Skilled Park on Friday night after the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans flyer was named on the wing for the blockbuster against the Bulldogs.



Walker, who recently turned 29, is set to play his first match in over 18 months having made a full recovery from consecutive Achilles tendon injuries.



Jetstar Titans coach John Cartwright also named halfback Scott Prince in an extended 18-man squad for the Bulldogs clash. He will give the club’s co-captain right up until kick-off on Friday night to prove his fitness after Prince injured his hamstring at training on Monday.



“He’ll be named in the side and we’ll give him up until kick-off to prove his fitness,’’ said Cartwright of Prince.



Walker’s journey to overcome problems both on and off the field will not be the only comeback story of the clash with the Bulldogs, with prop Michael Henderson also set to take his place in the starting front row for the first time in 2009.



Henderson’s start to the year was pushed back several weeks after he underwent surgery during the pre-season to remove a titanium rod in the leg which he badly broke in 2007.



Walker made history as the club’s first ever try scorer in the Jetstar Titans’ NRL debut match against St George Illawarra in 2007 but has since managed only four more games for the club in the two years that have followed.



It has been a remarkable journey for Walker, who has also turned his life around off the field – highlighted by him being a finalist for the NRL’s Ken Stephen Medal last year due to his tireless work in the community.



Jetstar Titans coach John Cartwright said Walker deserved to be back wearing a Titans jersey.



“He deserves his chance, he’s done well through the pre-season and to come back from two major operations like he has, he deserves to go out there and have a really good game for us,’’ said Cartwright.



“He’s obviously had his dark moments through it all and he had a lot of other issues to deal with as well.



“I suppose that makes it all the more sweeter when you get the call-up in the side. But for every high you have in telling Chris he’s in the side you’ve got to tell young Jordan he’s not in the side so it balances out for me but I’m very happy for Chris.’’