Cody Walker hopes to be the next Patrick Cripps as he looms on big decision
Ahead of the 2025 Coates League season we meet the son of a gun being mentored by Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh, and discover he has a younger brother who could be even better. Carlton fans start salivating now.
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When you see Cody Walker play in the Coates Talent League this season don’t be surprised if his game looks eerily similar to Carlton superstar and dual Brownlow medallist Patrick Cripps.
The 17-year-old country footy rising star has spent the best part of a decade building his game to be just like the 29-year-old Blues hero and is now on the cusp of potentially joining him at the famous club.
Having spent the past two years working closely with the Blues Academy, Walker has had the opportunity to form a bond with Cripps and is now trying to emulate his favourite player and good mate in every way.
Cody is the son of former Carlton star Andrew Walker, who played 202 games for the Blues after being the No.2 draft pick in 2003.
The Bendigo Pioneers player is one of the hottest prospects for the 2026 draft and is hot on the radar for Carlton but also for one of their fiercest rivals.
Cody qualifies as a father-son for the Blues but is also part of Richmond’s indigenous academy with his family proudly part of the Yorta Yorta people.
It makes for an interesting decision for the family in the next 12 months to decide which team Cody should play for.
“I’m in a very good position where I get the privilege of being at both Victorian clubs,” Cody said.
“It’s getting to a serious part of my career where you start talking to their recruiters and what the next two years look like.
“I’m grateful to be able to talk to the recruiters and be selected to either Carlton or Richmond.”
In 2024 Cody was part of the under-16 Victoria Country team and was a star of the national carnival, averaging 28 disposals, and being named in the All Australian team.
He also made his debut in under-18 for the Bendigo Pioneers and played seniors for his local club the Echuca Bombers who, under the guidance of Andrew as coach, has won the past three Goulburn Valley league premierships.
His off-season has him prepared for a big year as he transitions to a bottom-aged Pioneer player.
He’s expected to be named in the final squad.
“I’m feeling pretty confident there are the minute,” he said.
“I feel like I’m one of the leaders out there.
“My off-season has been about having a priority in midfield.
“That’s where I base my game off.
“I base my game off Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh, two of my favourite players.
“I also like going up forward every now and again to rest and switch up in midfield when I can.”
Cody revealed Cripps and Walsh have been instrumental in helping the young gun as he goes through Carlton’s father-son program.
He communicates with both of them and the two leaders are only too happy to give him advice on how to improve his game.
“They are my favourite people to be around at the club,” he said.
“It’s purely the reason I play in the midfield, to be like them.
“I see how level headed they are when they talk to me and how they go about trainings and how serious they can be.
“And also their day to day lives about keeping their bodies right, which is the main thing for them.
“They do the basics so well.
“You see Cripps and Walsh about an hour after training still on the field doing the one twos.
“It’s an eye opener for me.”
Cody’s career to date has also been influenced by other Pioneers graduates to the AFL.
West Coast and former number one draft pick Harley Reid went to St Joseph’s College in Echuca - the same school at Cody - while the midfielder also played alongside 2024 top 10 draft pick Tobie Travaglia in 2024 who is now at St Kilda.
Cody said Travaglia’s journey had helped him to see what it takes to rise to the next level.
“Tobie was also unreal to play with knowing that you play with an AFL footballer now,” he said.
“How much he has improved from last year’s pre-season and that’s what I look to do for the next two years is improve as a player like him.
“Hopefully come out as a top 10 pick like him would be good.”
For now the focus is on making the Victoria Country under-18 team and hopefully playing in the Futures player match on AFL grand final day.
Cody’s father Andrew said he was impressed with how his son has handled the expectations so far.
He added the Pioneers player has dealt with it better than him when he was going through the system.
It’s why he’s confident his son will do well.
“I was a young naive 17-year-old about to be drafted to the biggest club in the Australia, Carlton, and didn’t really understand at that time of my life what it takes to be an AFL footballer,” he said.
“Whereas these guys (Cody and his other son Arli) have been heavily entrenched in some father-son programming and some amazing programs that are unbelievable these days.
“They are learning at a young age.
“I cannot believe some of the things they can do from an attributes and skills point of view.
“They are far greater than their old man and certainly looking forward to see how they develop into young men. “
Andrew added Cody’s determination and work ethic would also see results go his way.
The big question now is where will Cody go?
“Both programs have been a major part of the boys’ development,” he said.
“A decision does have to be made shortly.
“Out of respect to the programs we’ll put a lot of thought into that in the first half of the season.
“Conversations will be have with both clubs above where we want to go.”
Arli in a league of his own
While Cody is getting plenty of attention for his rise Andrew said everyone should be also looking at his other son, Arli, who could be just as good, if not better.
The 13-year-old is excelling at football and basketball.
In the past few weeks Arli has been selected in basketball for the Victoria Country SPP program and was vice-captain of the under-15 Victoria Country team at the Southern Cross Challenge.
The point guard scored 46 points during the tournament including a game-high 18 against Tasmania.
Not afraid to shoot a three-pointer, Arli has risen up the ranks to be one of the best in the state.
He’s recently been announced as one of 20 players in contention to make the under-16 state team.
Arli is playing above his years, which is no surprise to Andrew.
“Arli is probably the most determined kid I’ve seen,” he said.
“There’s another different beast coming through in my eyes.
“He’s completely driven, just one of the most amazing leaders I’ve seen and amazing skills on the ball (football).
“He represented Victoria in combine footy under-12, which was his first look at state level sport.
“He’s gone earlier than Cody which is exciting for him.”
The under-12 team also taught Arli a lesson in responding and bouncing back when things don’t go your way.
“Last year I didn’t get selected for any of that stuff (state selection),” he said.
“When I got selected for (basketball) this year it was a great feeling.
“(It provided) heaps of motivation and stuff like that.”
His performances also create a rivalry between the two brothers.
But both have a common goal.
“It’s a bit intense but we both motivate each other and train with each other,” he said.
“Both help me a fair bit with what they’ve done and they help me through to be as good as them.”
Arli’s goals are to make the football under-15 state team and make the state team in basketball after being selected for the combine.
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