He played the first 20 games of this year with a damaged shoulder, and it was painful for both him and the team, Fittler said.Once he had that shoulder operation at our club, his damage control was incredible.I watched him go through the rehab, and he was doing physio up to seven times a week.Adam Reynolds. Credit:Getty ImagesAnd to see him go through that and also be nominated for captain of this club, it impressed me.What has taken his game to the next level is the toughness. This year has shown what kind of person he is.A little more than six months ago, Walker hit the headlines for the wrong reasons after assaulting his former teammate Dylan Walker at a party.He was stood down for the Rabbitohs round one clash against the Sydney Roosters – an incident that appeared to sully his reputation.But Fittler believes Walker has the character to not let that event define him.That is never going to stop me giving someone an opportunity, Fittler said.Kyle, he went out and did it tough.He had an experience, he went through court appearances and through it all he put his head down, bum up and made the most of it.Not too many people get an opportunity at Origin. To think that he has come this far ... it only comes through hard work. Whether he plays or not, at least he knows he has been recognised.Fittler praises Walker for his Resilience:NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler has praised South Sydney playmaker Kyle Walker for his toughness after coming back from a shoulder injury that cut his 2017 season short.Walker was originally overlooked for Game 1 due to the perception that he was still recovering from the injury and not fully fit for the rigours of Origin football.But he was eventually named in the final squad after an injury to James Roberts opened up a spot in the team.Fittler said he had been impressed by Walkers resilience and determination to overcome the injury.He played the first 20 games of this year with a damaged shoulder, and it was painful for both him and the team, Fittler said.Once he had that shoulder operation at our club, his damage control was incredible.I watched him go through the rehab, and he was doing physio up to seven times a week. To me, that just shows the kind of toughness and determination he has.Fittler also praised Walkers character and leadership, particularly after he was nominated as captain of his club.What has taken his game to the next level is the toughness and resilience he has shown, Fittler said.This year has shown what kind of person he is, and I have no doubt that he will bring that same attitude to the Origin arena.Walkers inclusion in the squad is a further sign of his comeback from a difficult off-field incident earlier this year, in which he was charged for assaulting his former teammate Dylan Walker.He was stood down for the Rabbitohs round one clash against the Sydney Roosters – an incident that appeared to sully his reputation.But Fittler believes Walker has the character to not let that event define him.That is never going to stop me from giving someone an opportunity, Fittler said.Kyle did it tough. He had an experience, went through court appearances and through it all, he put his head down and worked hard.Not too many people get an opportunity at Origin. To think that he has come this far, it only comes through hard work. Whether he plays or not, at least he knows he has been recognised for his resilience and toughness. RED, 1 owner, £24,950