Top three AFL Draft prospect Cody Walker will play for local club Echuca on Saturday.
It's understood Walker has been keen all year to play a game of local footy in 2026, with Saturday the perfect opportunity, with the Under-18s National Championships wrapping up last weekend.
Fittingly, Cody will return in Echuca's annual Archie Walker tribute round, which pays tribute to his great-grandfather and the Yorta Yorta culture.
Held since 2018, it is one of the club's biggest annual events.
“Andrew introduced the Archie Walker Round in 2018, and it's a round he's proud of, and we're proud of as a club," club president Justin Hatfield told Zero Hanger.
"We've done a lot of work around trying to extend the knowledge base of Indigenous culture around our area.
"That has always been one of Andrew's passions, so we're looking forward to that this weekend."
Cody's Dad, and former Carlton player Andrew, will lead the pre-game proceedings in the match between second-placed Echuca and fifth-placed Kyabram.
The teenager is well connected to his Indigenous heritage, which allowed him to take part in Richmond's Next Generation Academy, before choosing to nominate at the Blues as a father-son prospect.
Cody co-designed Vic Country's Indigenous jumper and co-captained the team at the Under-18s National Championships, and was named in the All Australian team.
Walker last played for his local side in last year's preliminary final, where he was among his team's best.
"The world is at his feet, yet he still wants to come back and play with his mates, which speaks to the sort of person he is," Hatfield said.
"He's a Walker so he's very focused and committed. Whenever he has played, he has created play and opened the game up. He's a creative player and dynamic in the way he can quickly change direction and accelerate.
"He'll be very hard to stop in the Goulburn Valley League.
"The good thing about Cody is he's Cody. As far as he's concerned, he's an Echuca footballer at the moment and chasing his dream at the moment, but these young kids wouldn't see him differently to anyone else because he's more than happy to have a kick with the kids in Auskick and blokes in the twos. He's no fuss."
Walker also spent part of pre-season training with Echuca and has returned to the club regularly this year in between his representative commitments, despite moving down to Melbourne for footy.
"The coaches love it when he comes because he lifts the intensity with his dedication to himself and the game," Hatfield added.
Walker has played junior footy at Echuca since 2018 and has played eight senior games across 2024-2025.
"I'd encourage anyone in the area to get down because it will be fantastic to watch," Hatfield said.
"It will be a celebration of Cody, and it's exciting for him."
A bid for Walker, who has trained extensively with Carlton and played VFL for the club, is expected in the top three of the National Draft in November.
