Dylan Walker could be back on the field next weekend after NRL lifts suspension order as Manly centre is found not guilty of assaulting his fiancée
- Walker was found not guilty of domestic violence related assault on Friday
- His fiancée, Alexandra Ivkovic, changed her story and said it was an accident
- NRL has lifted Walker's suspension order and he could be back next weekend
Manly NRL player Dylan Walker has had his suspension lifted after he was found not guilty of assaulting his fiancee, Alexandra Ivkovic.
The 24-year-old had charges of domestic violence-related assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault dismissed in Manly Local Court on Friday.
The Manly Sea Eagles centre was charged after Ms Ivkovic initially told NSW Police that Walker pulled her by the ponytail to the ground while she was cradling a baby on the driveway of their northern Sydney home.
The NRL on Friday said it had lifted Walker's suspension following the verdicts, meaning he's likely to return to the field next weekend.
Manly NRL player Dylan Walker has had his suspension lifted after he was found not guilty of assaulting his fiancee, Alexandra Ivkovic
She suffered grazes to her shoulder, leg and feet during the incident in December 2018.
But Ms Ivkovic changed her story and steadfastly stuck to it, saying she'd overreacted and Walker had simply touched her shoulder to turn her around, accidentally grabbing her hair in the process.
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Magistrate Michelle Goodwin on Friday said Ms Ivkovic's unwavering commitment to the new version of events under 'stringent cross-examination' couldn't be ignored.
The Manly Sea Eagles centre was charged after Ms Ivkovic initially told NSW Police that Walker pulled her by the ponytail to the ground while she was cradling a baby on the driveway of their northern Sydney home
But Ms Ivkovic changed her story and steadfastly stuck to it, saying she'd overreacted and Walker had simply touched her shoulder to turn her around, accidentally grabbing her hair in the process
Manly coach Des Hasler has refused to take aim at the NRL over their 'no fault' policy after Walker was found not guilty of domestic violence charges.
Hasler kept his fingers crossed that the NRL integrity unit would clear Walker as early as this weekend to make his long awaited return for the Sea Eagles' round 10 clash with Cronulla.
The coach said he wasn't making any presumptions over Walker's availability despite the NRL star being found not guilty but hoped 'common sense prevails.'
'We have had to abide by what's been played out and he's done that, it's gone through it's course, natural justice and been found not guilty so it's now up to the integrity unit to pour over that,' Hasler said of Walker's fate.
'I am not going to get caught into any judgement on the NRL - what's the point?
'The ball is in their court now. But I am sure common sense prevails and they will reach a decision.
'We were abiding by the no fault policy, that is now terminated, he has served that, he has been found not guilty - it is now with the integrity unit.'
Magistrate Michelle Goodwin on Friday said Ms Ivkovic's unwavering commitment to the new version of events under 'stringent cross-examination' couldn't be ignored
The NRL on Friday said it had lifted Walker's suspension following the verdicts, meaning he's likely to return to the field next weekend
Walker has not featured in the first nine NRL rounds after being stood down under the game's hardline 'no fault' stand down rule.
Under the rules, which were rubber-stamped in March, the game can stand down any player charged with a serious crime which carries a jail sentence of 11 years or more.
The NRL said via a statement that they would review the court documents in case it was appropriate to apply further punishment.
Hasler kept his fingers crossed that the NRL integrity unit would clear Walker as early as this weekend to make his long awaited return for the Sea Eagles' round 10 clash with Cronulla
The coach said he wasn't making any presumptions over Walker's availability despite the NRL star being found not guilty but hoped 'common sense prevails'
However that seems unlikely given he has already missed more than two months of the 2019 season.
'I guess we will get a clear indication later in the week when they hand down their decision - that's all we can go by,' Hasler said.
'(But) Dylan Walker was found not guilty today, which is a great thing for Dylan and his family.'
Walker's return can't come soon enough for Manly which suffered yet more injuries in their Magic Round 26-10 loss to Brisbane on Friday night.
Already reeling with more than $3 million worth of stars on the sidelines including Daly Cherry-Evans, Tom Trbojevic and Jorge Taufua, the Sea Eagles lost centre Moses Suli (finger), Api Koroisau (ankle) and Toafofoa Sipley (knee) in the Suncorp Stadium clash.
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