We had a similar issue with Curtis Naughton a few years a go. 17 years old with bags of potential and ability. Threw his toys out as he wasn't number 1 full-back ahead of Brett Kearney (depsite only making at first team appearance at the time). Went to OZ, didn't play a game. Signed for Hull. Bit part player went to Leigh, bit part player and is now playing second tier in OZ. Had potential to be so much more. Warrington aren't exactly that great at developing young talents with only Ben Currie doing anything really.

Both sides have got this wrong imo.
Walker as good as he is has no right to be demanding a guaranteed position/shirt but Leeds should also have shown him he can earn it through form & keep it whilst developing further.
I.e Selection made purely on form not favouritism.

Seems he isn't willing to fight for his place , so perhaps wire have said you can be our number 1 full back. Seems crazy that he cant sign a 3 year deal at 17. A shame as he looks quality and seemed to be enjoying it. Poorly advised in my opinion. Not much Leeds could do really.

Just to add there's no way he should be selected at any level now.

Really sad about this.

Both parties probably could have done more. But from what's been said on here, sounds like SMTM have had a big say and I can't help but feel it's not been a positive one.

I agree if a player doesn't want to earn his shirt and play for us then he should leave, but it will leave a sour taste to see him ripping it up for another club.

I think you generally find that kids with attitudes like that don't amount to a great deal. Ryan Hampshire was the same at Wigan apparently, demanding to be played in the halves. I think he thought he'd crack it with Cas or at Leigh but again he's being shifted about and played on the wing and at fullback.

It's a brave move by the lad but ultimately a silly one IMO.

And they nabbed Currie from Wigan

At no point, or that statement has the lad demanded a shirt. He told the club weeks ago he wants to be a fullback, not an half. The club see it differently. End of day though, that isn't all it is down to, I said his management company were actively touting. His reputation went up since initial talks. At no point though has he said he asked for a starting spot.

We have let one fullback go in last twelve months, that we will never have one as good for a long long time, to lose a good one again would be pretty poor from the club. I think that announcement was a mistake, if only shown by the comments since. They should have kept it in house, as I personally think they would have changed. That second offer is more than Wire offered.

I agree with your later comment though, for me if someone is going don't enhance the reputation further, look at next option.

If he really believes I his own ability he'd fancy his chances to oust Golding next season anyway. This is either down to a big offer coming from elsewhere, his agent being a dick, or the kid not trusting his own ability. Shame whichever it is.

Really disappointed he is leaving. If he proved himself to be the best fb at the club then he should have been selected there. That said no player should dictate to the coach where he will and won't play. Ironic that it is announced the same day as Burrow confirms his retirement. A player who has played roles he didn't particularly want too for the good of the team

Dont know the kid but he must be pretty dumb, Cameron Smith didnt play a single game at hooker until his early 20s and is now probably the best hooker of all time, why any 17 year old thinks he should be able to dictate where he plays is beyond me.

And by the clubs statement it seems he did want a guaranteed starting position at fullback

Don't want to see him in a Leeds shirt again.

Think its best he not play anyway as I'm sure he'd only get a load of stick from Leeds fans

Demanded or requested assurances, it all pretty much the same thing. Thing is his agent will have known these requests would not be met by Leeds so letting his player go into meetings saying these things only goes to show they wanted to engineer a move away from Leeds. If we're going down the route of these football agent style tactics then the sport will be poorer for it.

Thing is that I'd fancy he stood a better chance of displacing Golding at FB next year than he would have of being Warrington's starting FB.

the idea that Walker was demanding being a fullback, but not demanding the number 1 shirt is pretty preposterous. It infers he would reject the contract because of a lack of guarantee that he plays fullback in the u19s.

Jack WHO! If he leaves he has made a really bad call IMO. If he wanted the FB position, which he got last week, when Ash moved to centre there is no reason he should not fight for his place in the team.

I would not play him again now ! Give someone who wants to play for the team, not someone who just wants a FB position.

Shame, he's going to be a cracking player. Pity he seems to have a flawed character. At least it's become apparent so early on

Get rid, asap

This doesn't necessarily mean he's definitely leaving does it? Still time for some negotiating/reasoning?

Very disappointing that it seems he's unwilling at this stage to fight for a place in the team, whatever position that may be.

Big decision for someone so young.

So what guarantees does he want then?
There's a huge difference between saying i only want to play at FB & seeking actual guarantees he plays there.
Burrow wanted to play 7 but got on with it at 9.
Numerous players have been prepared to A. Earn their spot & B.Play anywhere for the Team.
Either way like i said earlier both sides seem to have got this wrong.

I imagine Leeds announcing that today is them drawing a line under the situation and fair enough from them because they can't wait around forever for a 17 year old to make up his mind when he's had plenty of time already and he's probably only delaying out of concern that Warrington might end up relegated.

Would find it quite funny if that's his destination and they end up relegated or at the very least sack Smith after this season and the new coach doesn't want to pick Walker at FB.

Potentially a big shame but you can't allow a kid to hold you to ransom so im with the club on this.

Good luck to Jack wherever he goes.

Club's laid its cards on the table - do it our way or you're out.
I wouldn't rule out Walker staying.

p.s. you heard it here first

I've not read the pages yet! But Fu*k him. Should not be allowed to wear the shirt.

Methinks there is much "smoke & mirrors" about this than the media-friendly announcements from both sides.

Walker (& his family/advisors/agent) will know that he will not find ANY SL club that will guarantee to play him in a certain position no matter what (especially not at 17 y.o.).

I think it more likely that there has been a breakdown in trust/communication or some fallout between Hetherington/McDermott & agent/player.

Let's just see if Walker gets a SL contract elsewhere which GUARANTEES him a dedicated position (this was the stumbling block stated by both sides).

Leeds are right to stick to their guns. What did Walker expect to happen, Leeds tell Golding he's been transfer listed and have a 17 year old as the only specialist full back. I wouldn't rule him out staying completely, this could be a sly move by GH to put pressure on Walker signing a new deal, but him staying is very unlikely.

I agree. I think both sides have been foolish. had leeds made a decent offer I'm sure he would have signed.
but he's been very naive with regards to his agent. he's a massive talent. I hope he stays and I wouldn't rule it out