Sports

‘Too early’ to decide NRL star Dylan Walker’s future after domestic violence charge

Manly chief executive Lyall Gorman says it is too early to decide on the future of NRL star Dylan Walker after he was charged with assaulting his fiancee.

Key points:

  • The Australian representative was taken to Manly police station and charged over the alleged incident
  • The Manly Sea Eagles chief has declined to speculate on Walker's future
  • He said the club's major concern was the welfare of Walker's fiancee, Alexandra Ivkovic

The Manly and Australian team representative was last night charged with domestic-related common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm after the alleged incident at a home on the Northern Beaches on Thursday night.

In a statement police said they found a 24-year-old woman with "minor cuts to her shoulder, leg and feet". She was treated at the scene by paramedics.

Walker's fiancee, Alexandra Ivkovic, is a former Miss Universe Australia finalist who gave birth to the couple's son in July.

Speaking on the alleged incident on Friday morning, Mr Gorman said he "did not have all the facts" and was unable to give a definitive answer on the NRL star's future.

He said he had spoken to the NRL's Integrity Unit.

Although there was precedence where players were allowed "to go the full legal process" before sanctions occurred, if the facts and evidence were "strong and clear", action could be taken earlier, he said.

Walker with his fiancee Alexandra Ivkovic

"I haven't been able to speak to Dylan personally," Mr Gorman said.

"I have spoken to his partner on four occasions, twice last night and twice this morning and [we're] trying to make sure we look after her welfare and the welfare of her family and the young baby.

"She's in good care with her mum and dad.

"It is a matter before the courts so it's also too early to make full judgement."

A man in front of microphones

Mr Gorman said Walker, who transferred to the Sea Eagles from South Sydney in 2015, would not be required at the club's training session.

"He needs to clear his head," he said.

"He's only been released from Manly police station through the night.

"He's obviously got to get his own head around the matters and … he's going to address them on a personal basis; our major focus has been on the welfare of the family, which we've attended to.

"It's too early to say what the consequences of this are, clearly it's a very serious allegation but lets let the legal process take its turn."

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