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Titans boss hopeful Walker will re-sign

By Laine Clark 03/06/2009 06:38:06 PM Comments (0)

The last thing Gold Coast Titans boss Michael Searle wants to do is dredge up Chris Walker's well documented past.

But the Titans chief executive reckons the way his NRL club have managed the ex-Origin flyer's off-field "issues" may help retain the suddenly in-demand Walker.

After completing a remarkable comeback, 29-year-old Walker faces one of the toughest calls of his career.

In the next fortnight he is expected to decide whether to uproot his young family and take up a lucrative two-year deal in the United Kingdom reportedly worth $200,000 a season - or stay another year on the tourist strip for much less money.

Few are more proud than Searle of Walker's on-field "resurrection".

But the candid Titans boss admits Walker's off-field rehabilitation will be ongoing - a factor that looms as a deal-breaker as the Titans veteran mulls over his future.

"You are never cured of the challenges he has. There's no vaccine - I wish it was that easy," Searle told AAP.

"He knows we understand the challenges he has and we have been able to work with him to get through it.

"Going to a new club, they may not understand the complexities of his challenges, but that's one of the benefits that we bring to him staying here.

"It is a safe place for him here, as far as his issues go."

It isn't just the way Walker has bounced back from his anxiety and alcohol-related issues that has impressed the Titans.

Legend has it that Searle wept tears of joy when Walker received his NRL recall this season after successfully coming back from not one but two Achilles ruptures.

But the manner in which Walker handled himself off the paddock won the most fans on the Gold Coast.

Walker threw himself into Titans promotional work during his lengthy rehabilitation, prompting Searle to present the winger a unique offer during current negotiations.

"We've put an olive branch out there to say even if he goes overseas when he comes back we would like him to work within the organisation," Searle said.

"I don't know on what capacity, but what he has done in the community in the last two years has certainly endeared him to a lot of people on the Gold Coast.

"I can't guess how many appearances he has done in schools and other areas that haven't been talked about like youth groups and others dealing with substance abuse.

"A lot of other guys just focus on their rehabilitation, but he did both - worked on his rehab and appearances in the community.

"He has done a lot of good work for us but more importantly it is about him getting some balance in his life again which is a good thing."

Titans coach John Cartwright said Walker's departure would be a "loss".

"We've got Kevin Gordon, David Mead and William Zillman there also - there is always someone there to put their hand up and take their place," Cartwright said.

"But you take experience out of any team and you feel the loss."

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