Carlton has confirmed the decision from 2026 father-son prospect Cody Walker to express his intentions to join the Blues via next year's draft.
The son of ex-Blues swingman Andrew Walker, Cody was facing a decision ahead of his draft given his ties to Richmond as well.
Walker, who hails from the Bendigo Pioneers, is part of the Tigers' Next Generation Academy, meaning both Carlton and Richmond could have priority access to the talented midfielder.
While a decision from Walker wouldn't have been needed until the second half of next year, the potential Pick 1 selection has locked in his intentions of joining the Blues from the 2026 draft.
โThis has honestly already been dream come true. Being involved with the Club over the last few years, today is another step closer to pulling on that Carlton jumper โ I just can't wait," said Walker.
โI have been involved in the Carlton Academy for three years now and have been so appreciative of everything the Club has done for me and the people who have helped me to this point in my career, both at Carlton and at every level of football I've been fortunate enough to play at so far.
โTo have already been able to work hard alongside the likes of Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and that entire midfield group, while getting to know everyone at the Club already, I just want to keep soaking up as much as I can and learn off them.
โSeeing Ben and Lucas do it this year, Harry Dean closing in on his dream and me next year, it is really exciting and such an honour for me to be able to continue the family name at the Blues.โ
Walker's father played 202 games for Carlton, concluding his time at Princes Park in 2026 after 13 seasons in navy blue.
The younger Walker has been one of the top performers at his age across the country this year, with his commitments to the Pioneers and Vic Country.
Walker had one of his better appearances earlier this month in a win at the U18s National Championships against the Allies, recording 24 disposals, seven marks, six score involvements and 377 metres gained as a bottom-ager for Vic Country.
His U18s carnival is set to conclude this weekend against Vic Metro, with Walker to then return to Bendigo in the Coates Talent League for the rest of the year.
He will likely end his 2025 campaign in the Future Stars game on the morning of the AFL Grand Final at the MCG.
"It's exciting news. Now, we get to spend a bit of time with our Academy players - they come in and train with us - they were here last week doing a little bit of training with us," Carlton coach Michael Voss said on Friday.
"To have Lucas and Ben Camporeale come through, to have another Walker come through the doors is very exciting for the football club and when obviously that time comes and he's ready to come in, it'll be a great story for the football club.
"The father-son rule should stay how it currently sits. There are some things we need to continue around the history of the game and the traditions of the game and that is one of them.
"I understand if there is a further conversation around what academies look like in general, but when it comes to the father and sons, I think that's been a tradition that has stood the test of time and should continue to do so.
"Whether that evolves over time and what you end up paying for that will probably be a continued conversation, but where teams can get access to their father-sons and father-daughters should always be made available."
