Ben Walker
Encyclopedia
Ben Walker is an absolute Legend (born 13 September 1976 in Toowoomba, Queensland
) and Australian rugby league
coach and former footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A goal-kicking five-eighth or halfback, he played in Australasia's National Rugby League
for the Brisbane Broncos
, Northern Eagles
, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
and South Sydney Rabbitohs
as well as in Europe's Super League
for the London Broncos and Leeds Rhinos
. He currently coaches the Ipswich Jets
in the Queensland Cup
with his brother Shane.
Walker is the eldest of a trio of footballing brothers (Shane Walker and Chris Walker) who all began their careers with the Brisbane Broncos.
.
Ben Walker later joined his brother Shane at the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
in 2001
, Walker was the equal competition leading point scorer (along with Andrew Johns
) with 279 points. This stands as the most ever points scored by a five-eighth in a single National Rugby League
season.
Walker was the first player in the NRL to score during golden point (extra-time). Walker kicked a penalty goal for Manly against Parramatta at Brookvale Oval
on 18 May 2003.
Toowoomba, Queensland
Toowoomba is a city in Southern Queensland, Australia. It is located west of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane. With an estimated district population of 128,600, Toowoomba is Australia's second largest inland city and its largest non-capital inland city...
) and Australian rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
coach and former footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A goal-kicking five-eighth or halfback, he played in Australasia's National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
for the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
, Northern Eagles
Northern Eagles
The Northern Eagles were a rugby league team, that competed in the National Rugby League between 2000 and 2002. The club was formed during the rationalisation process of the NRL by the merger of the North Sydney Bears and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in 2000...
, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
and South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
as well as in Europe's Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
for the London Broncos and Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
. He currently coaches the Ipswich Jets
Ipswich Jets
The Ipswich Jets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Ipswich, Queensland.Their name comes from nearby RAAF Base Amberley, one of the largest airbases in Australia. The Jets compete in the Queensland Cup competition...
in the Queensland Cup
Queensland Cup
The Queensland Cup is the premier rugby league football competition in the State of Queensland, Australia.It is a statewide competition with the majority of teams based in South East Queensland but also including sides based in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton.The competition began in 1996 as a...
with his brother Shane.
Walker is the eldest of a trio of footballing brothers (Shane Walker and Chris Walker) who all began their careers with the Brisbane Broncos.
Playing career
While attending St Mary's High School in Toowoomba in 1993, Walker was selected to play for the Australian Schoolboys teamAustralia national schoolboy rugby league team
The Australian Schoolboys rugby league team is the national rugby league football team for secondary school students in Australia.The Australian Schoolboys or Australia Schoolboys represent Australia on a national level at rugby league at youth level...
.
Ben Walker later joined his brother Shane at the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Career highlights
- First Grade Debut: 1995 - Round 13, Broncos vs Parramatta EelsParramatta EelsThe Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
at Parramatta StadiumParramatta StadiumParramatta Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.The stadium is used primarily as the home ground of Australian National Rugby League club the Parramatta Eels...
, 25 June - Premierships: Member of the 1997 Broncos Premiership (Super League) winning team
- Top Points Scorer: 2001, Dally M Award for Top Points Scorer - 279 points with the Northern Eagles (17 tries, 102 goals, 1 field goal)
Records
Playing for the Northern EaglesNorthern Eagles
The Northern Eagles were a rugby league team, that competed in the National Rugby League between 2000 and 2002. The club was formed during the rationalisation process of the NRL by the merger of the North Sydney Bears and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in 2000...
in 2001
National Rugby League season 2001
The 2001 NRL season was the 94th season of professional rugby league football in Australia and the fourth run by the National Rugby League. The Newcastle Knights claimed their second premiership in five seasons, defeating minor premiers Parramatta Eels in the first ever night-time grand...
, Walker was the equal competition leading point scorer (along with Andrew Johns
Andrew Johns
Andrew Gary "Joey" Johns is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time. He was heralded as the world's best halfback for a number of years...
) with 279 points. This stands as the most ever points scored by a five-eighth in a single National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
season.
Walker was the first player in the NRL to score during golden point (extra-time). Walker kicked a penalty goal for Manly against Parramatta at Brookvale Oval
Brookvale Oval
Brookvale Oval is a sporting ground located within Brookvale Park at Brookvale, New South Wales, Australia. The ground is owned by Warringah Council and is primarily used by the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles rugby league team...
on 18 May 2003.