Walker caps journey from Leeds Rhinos' academy with dream Grand Final

Aged just 18 years and 60 days, the full-back gave an accomplished display in the rain at Old Trafford as Leeds defeated Castleford 24-6.

His performance certainly justified his selection after head coach Brian McDermott preferred the teenager to rival No1 Ashton Golding.

Walker - who contemplated leaving earlier this year before signing a new three-year deal in August - admitted: “At the start of the season I was playing for the Academy v St Helens and could never have thought about being in and winning a Grand Final.

“Cas have been so consistent this year; that it makes it even better to get over them.”

The Leeds-born player beat the record of team-mate Stevie Ward who was aged 18 years and 324 days when he helped Rhinos beat Warrington Wolves in the 2012 Grand Final.

Walker said he was relaxed ahead of playing in front of a sell-out crowd of 72,827.

“I don’t really think about games in the lead-up,” he said. “I just take every day as it comes. When the first kick went up I just blocked everything out, focussed on the ball and doing my job for the team. It was all good.

“Despite the conditions we didn’t stop playing as we normally do and we were outstanding in defence. Danny (McGuire) took control and ran the show.

“The experienced guys helped me but I’ve always had a winning mindset. I hate losing; it puts me in a bad mood for the next week.”