The son of a former Carlton star looms as a potential AFL prospect after impressing in his country footy debut at the weekend.
Cody Walker – the son of ex-Blues utility Andrew Walker – made his first appearance for Goulburn Valley Football League team Echuca in a match against the previously top-of-the-table Shepparton.
The 16-year-old played on the wing and up forward and showed plenty of skill and poise in his team's 70-point win.
Walker said post-match that he felt comfortable with the adjustment to senior football.
"Yeah it was really good, I had to get used to the pace (of the game) really early," Walker told The Weekly Times.
"I thought once I get there I should right with confidence, so yeah, it was good."
Andrew Walker is the coach of Echuca and said that his son deserved the opportunity to debut at senior level.
"He's had a good six weeks of football, coming up from the U18s, school football and also a game last week (for Vic Country) where he was best-on," the ex-AFL player said.
"So we thought he was certainly ready – we wouldn't have played him if he wasn't – and I thought he did really well."
Walker ended the game with two goals, including an eye-catching finish from a tough angle.
He is enjoying an excellent start to his 2024 season, which includes best-on-ground honours in Vic Country's win in the U16 National Championships a fortnight ago.
Walker collected 28 disposals, seven inside-50s and two goals in the 22-point triumph over Vic Metro, with scouts noting his strength and athleticism.
His two majors were a pair of long-range goals from outside-50 in the opening term and he provided plenty of other highlights across the match.
The smooth mover has also been named in Bendigo Pioneers' best players in both of his appearances in the Coates Talent League U16 competition.
Walker is eligible for the 2026 AFL Draft, with both Carlton and Richmond receiving priority access to select the young gun.
He qualifies under the father-son rule for the Blues – as his father played 202 matches for the club between 2004 and 2016 – and he is also in the Tigers' Next Generation Academy as part of Richmond's Bendigo Pioneers zone.
The Yorta Yorta youngster will get to choose which club he nominates for under AFL rules.
Walker has already spent time training at the Blues' base at Ikon Park as part of the Carlton Academy program.
