It was a special Sunday for Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker as he signed off at local club Echuca with a premiership.
The Goulburn Valley League grand final victory against Shepparton was just Walker's second game of the year for the club he grew up at, as Talent League, Vic Country, Carlton VFL and AFL Academy duties have taken precedence.
Playing as a half-forward winger, Walker became the third member of his family to win a game for his club in his last competitive outing before being selected at the AFL Draft in November.
“He's usually an inside mid for us and does it well, but having played limited games, we didn't want to change things too muc,h so to his credit he played a different role well," coach Simon Maddox told Zero Hanger.
"We were specific on his role. The longer the game went, the more he worked into it.
“His composure against VFL-listed players stood out. The way he conducts himself against the men as a junior shows he is ready for bigger-bodied footy.
“He wasn't overawed; he backs himself, and there were glimpses of him where you go ‘wow, he's exhilarating at his best '.”
Echuca had a commanding lead at quarter time, kicking with the wind early and went on to win by 81 points.
He made his senior debut in 2024 and has played 10 senior games since for Echuca, including Indigenous Round earlier this year.
“Whenever he's home, he's at football training. Cody's been knocking around our clubrooms for the last 10 years, so he's comfortable in the environment at Echuca," Maddox said.
“He has confidence and backs himself to the hilt. When he does something special, you go, ‘Don't put the seatbelt on, put the foot to the throttle'. The more of him you see, the more talent there is. There are a lot of similarities to (Dad) Andrew.
“Cody doesn't take those big hangers, but he's got more of that Chris Judd explosiveness out of the pack. The world is Cody's oyster. It's worked out well. He got a premiership with his hometown and got through unscathed, and hopefully he will progress into a generational talent.”
Echuca has been one of country Victoria's talent hotspots in recent years, with Clayton Oliver, Ollie Wines, Brodie Kemp, Noah Long and Aidyn Johnson among the recent players to have gone on to an AFL list.
“He's excellent with the kids and is good when he comes home,” Maddox added.
“The country boys are level-headed and appreciative of people who helped them when they were younger and are willing to give back, which is great because everyone gets a thrill from rubbing shoulders with the AFL boys.”
