"Jenko, I've had to mark up on him a couple of times over the past couple of years," Walker said.

"Some people say we're similar, same body shape. It's always good to go up against Jenko and all the other centres in the game as well.

"Jenko is a top-class centre and you always want to test yourself against the best. It will be good to go up against him in the first round."

On one occasion, in the second State of Origin game last year, they were centre partners. However, it's highly unlikely there will be room for both in the next Blues side picked, ensuring representative selection debate will begin as soon as the Parramatta-Manly blockbuster in round one.

"It's his speed, experience and his footwork. You can't really [ignore] his defence, he's got really good defence," Walker said of Jennings.

"He's probably one of the better centres at defending but not many people see it. Everyone sees his speed and elusiveness but his defence is one of the hardest ones you have to try to get by.

"I've got to be on my toes in attack and defence."

Now that he no longer wears the No.6 on his back, Walker will be the latest contender for a Blues centre spot alongside Jennings, Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Jarryd Hayne, Jack Bird, Josh Morris, Joey Leilua, Jarrod Crocker and James Roberts.

Walker, who scored the match-clinching try for the Sea Eagles in their trial against the Roosters, said he is more comfortable after reverting back to the position in which he made his name and earned a premiership with South Sydney.

"[There's] a bit more room. You can ask for the ball a little bit more and they give it instead of me giving the ball to someone," he said.

"I like that edge, I'm in a comfortable state when I was there with the Bunnies. I've come here, put my head down in the pre-season and just trained hard."

The arrival of Storm recruit Blake Green, who will partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves, will allow Walker to concentrate on his running game.

"At the end of the day, we found out Dylan's best position isn't five-eighth," Cherry-Evans said.

"He's quite pleased to be playing centre this year and that's going to be really beneficial to the side.

"He's just a natural football player and he just needs the ball in his hands. With his obvious strengths his speed and ability to break tackles, the more he gets the ball in his hands the more opportunities he will create for the side to score points. It brings a steady and reliable right-edge player to this side."

Walker's first year on the Northern Beaches was a rollercoaster. He played for only nine minutes off the bench in his Origin debut, struggled with the pivot responsibilities at club level and missed a month of football after breaking his hand punching a door.

Now more centred on and off the field, the 22-year-old is attempting to help the Sea Eagles climb back up the ladder after two years without finals football.

"It's just good to be back in the preferred position that I got most comfortable with coming into grade," Walker said.