Whilst it was announced a couple of weeks ago by the Easts Tigers that he would be joining, the Melbourne Storm have confirmed the signing of Tigers five-eighth Cody Walker, who will put pressure on Ben Hampton for the position next season.
Walker, who is a Casino Cougars junior had a stellar year with the Easts Tigers as he finished as the highest point-scorer in the league, won the Tigers’ best and fairest award and took out the QLD Cup Player of the Year award.
The 24-year old is no stranger to the Storm, having previously trained with the Melbourne squad, with the club excited to have secured such an exciting talent.
“We are pleased to have signed Cody, having closely followed his progress over the last two seasons at Brisbane Easts,†said the Melbourne Storm’s Director Of Football, Frank Ponissi.
“Cody is a very talented player and we believe with hard work and dedication he will thrive under the guidance of Craig Bellamy and the coaching staff in 2014.â€
In additional recruitment news for the Storm, the club has retained up and coming forward Mitch Garbutt, who has re-signed for two years.
Playing in three NRL games to date this year and making his NRL debut, his performances in first-grade may have been limited, but it was his form in the QLD Cup that was enough to convince the club to re-sign him.
“Mitch has improved dramatically since arriving to the club in November 2011,†Ponissi said.
“He is one of the form props in this year’s Queensland Cup competition and has worked very hard to play his three NRL games this season.
“Continued hard work over the coming pre- season will put him in a very good position to challenge for a more regular position in Storm’s first grade side in 2014.”