DOB: 12 September 1948
Died: 28 September 2016
Debut: Round 12, 1967 against North Melbourne at MCG
Last Game: Round 22, 1972 against Fitzroy at MCG
From: Friends School Hobart
Number: 46 (1967), 1 (1968-1972)
Honours:
1971 Night Series winner
Games: 85
Goals: 23
Career Statistics
Wins | Draws | Losses | Winning % |
26 | 1 | 58 | 30.58 |
Statistical categories led:
Most free kicks against in a game : 12 - Round 11, 1969
Spotted playing in a school Grand Final by ex-Demon Peter Marquis, Walker was soon surprised by Norm Smith at his door and signed for Melbourne. He was given a job as a maintenance man and scoreboard operator at the MCG, and was allowed to continue playing cricket in summer. In mid-1967, Walker graduated from the Under 19s to Reserves and seniors within a few weeks.
Walker missed the first three weeks of 1970 while recovering from shoulder and groin injuries, but recovered to play 19 games for the year.
A Western Australian club tried to sign him for 1972, using the lure of better cricketing opportunities in the West to try and recruit him. He stayed put, but eventually Walker's summer pursuits won out anyway. He made his test debut in 1972, shortly after giving up his football career. Melbourne retained him on their senior list in 1973 but couldn't entice him back to play. Oakleigh also tried to sign him as a part-time player for that season but to no avail.
Walker played 38 tests and 29 one day matches for Australia before moving into the media and becoming a successful author.
Year | Games | Goals | Brownlow |
1967 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
1968 | 16 | 14 | 1 |
1969 | 19 | 3 | 0 |
1970 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
1971 | 13 | 3 | 0 |
1972 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
Lists
Famous for other things
Interstate recruits
Number 1 ticketholder
Media
Herald - 07/1967
Age - 25/02/1970, 24/09/2003
Inside Football - 25/09/1971, 19/05/1973
Bulletin - 30/01/1979