Play-off destiny is in our own hands, says Walker

Whether overcoming a foolish mistake which led to a spell in a youth offenders’ institute just as he was setting the sport ablaze, or recovering from a horrific leg injury which threatened to end his playing days, he has inevitably emerged intact on the other side.

He had that testing time in rugby union, too, before returning to his first love and so, when it comes to Bradford Bulls’ ongoing battles, the 29-year-old has plenty of experience to call upon.

And so, while deals between power-brokers are frantically trying to be struck to buy the beleaguered club, the one place he and his colleagues still know they can affect things is on the pitch.

Tonight allows Bradford’s players their latest chance to take charge of their own destiny, if only for 80 minutes.

Having shrugged aside a six-point deduction for entering administration, victory against Walker’s former side Hull KR at Odsal will see them draw level with their opponents in eighth place and reignite play-off hopes.

It would be some feat if they went on to qualify and the ex-Leeds and Great Britain centre admitted to the Yorkshire Post: “It is massive and it’s a good chance.

“We set out to do that at the beginning of the season, though, and that was our goal. We didn’t expect any of what’s happened here yet it’s still within our grasp so we’re just trying to claw our way in.

“We can only look day by day at the minute; what’s happening keeps changing at the club but that’s out of our power. We said a few months ago all we can do – as long as we’re given the chance to play – is play as well as we can. Hopefully, we do make the eight but first we have to look at our performance.

“We were poor against Warrington, got a few things right last week (to beat Widnes) but need to be better again for Hull KR.”

On those off-field issues, Walker, just two tries short of a career century and now acting as an auxiliary prop, said: “The supporters deserve more, to be honest. I hope Bradford don’t get put into the Championship.

“I know that clubs probably do think we deserve to go in after what’s happened.

“But, for fans who pledged money and did everything to save the Bulls, I just hope someone out there, or the RFL, can work something out so they stay in Super League.”