Shoulder scare for top draft prospect Cody Walker

Jackson Clark Published June 15, 2026 at 3.00pm (AWST)

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Cody Walker has suffered an injury scare while playing for Vic Country against the Allies. Image: AFL.

Highly rated draft prospect Cody Walker faces a nervous wait after suffering a shoulder injury while representing Vic Country at the AFL U18 National Championships on the weekend.

The 18-year-old left the field during the third quarter of Vic Country's 13-point win over the Allies at Blacktown on Sunday.

Walker appeared to hurt his shoulder in a heavy collision and was assessed by medical staff on the boundary. He briefly returned to the field before his day was ended.

The midfielder had collected 16 disposals and five clearances before the injury, having started in the centre for Vic Country.

Walker entered the championships as arguably the top prospect in the country. He was named as a Vic Country's co-captain and also helped to design the team's jumper alongside his aunty Melly Mica. The design carries a strong connection to his family and Yorta Yorta Country.

"It's a privilege to be able to design this jumper, I think we'll save a few," Walker said in a video announcing the jumper.

"It means so much to me to have the design based off our country in Echuca and Shepparton.

"There is a long-neck turtle which is my family's totem from Yorta Yorta country."

*Cody Walker (right) and two of his Vic Country teammates proudly displaying the jumper designed by Cody and his aunty. (Image: Bendigo Pioneers)*

Walker is the son of former Carlton utility Andrew Walker, who played 202 AFL games for the Blues between 2004 and 2016.

The younger Walker formally committed to Carlton last year under the father-son pathway, despite also being eligible to join Richmond through its Next Generation Academy.

He has already gained experience within Carlton's system and made his VFL debut for the club earlier this season.

Carlton Academy coach Lloyd Perris said on the weekend that the opportunity to train and play around senior football had been valuable for Walker's development.

"It's been a really positive month for Cody," Perris told Carlton Media.

"The thinking being is to get him around the AFL group and VFL group as much as possible.

"You can learn a lot playing those (VFL) games compared to in the Talent League. Being around the bigger bodies and the system we're trying to play at the footy club, he certainly looked comfortable at the level."

Perris said Walker would return to Vic Country with valuable experience from his time at Carlton.

"He'll be much better for it. He goes back now to play for Vic Country over the next little bit, hopefully he can take a lot of the learnings from playing in the VFL into those games and have a successful carnival."