Former Lion Josh Walker hunting spot left by Scott Thompson after AFL lifeline
The delisting of Josh Walker by the Lions came as a surprise to some. Now at his third club, the dogged defender is keen to bolster North Melbourne’s defensive stocks by replacing a retired Roo.
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New North Melbourne recruit Josh Walker says he is gunning for the spot left vacant by retired lockdown defender Scott Thompson.
Walker joined his third club via the supplemental selection period last week.
The former Lion was a shock delisting at the end of this season and cited the retirement of the defensive stalwart as the main reason he chose the Roos amid interest from other clubs.
“Scotty Thompson retiring, there’s sort of a hole down back, which suits me,” Walker said.
“Got along with the coach well and it just seemed like a good fit, good opportunity so I was always pretty set and pretty intent on coming here.
“Intercept marking is something (Rhyce Shaw) is strong on and he wants me to certainly back myself to win back the ball if I can and get our attack started.
“I only just turned 27 and I’ve got still got plenty of good footy so I couldn’t be more rapt to get down here and continue my AFL journey.”
Being culled by the Lions came as a bit of a shock to the rock-solid defender, who found out the disappointing news while holidaying in Europe.
But Walker was confident he had shown enough at the top level to receive an AFL lifeline.
“It was a couple of flat days on holiday but then tried to put it to the back of my mind and move on,” he said.
“Obviously (getting delisted) was a consideration and a possibility, but I was always confident I could get somewhere else.
“I played some good footy last year and I was hopeful and confident that it would be enough for someone to give me another chance.”
But he knows he isn’t a walk-up start for North Melbourne’s Round 1 side with injured defender Majak Daw on the comeback trail.
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“There’s still a bit of pre-season to go and I’ve got a bit of work to do but that’s the goal. I’ll be hoping to spend the summer on the track and put my best foot forward,” Walker said.
Walker played 85 games for Geelong and Brisbane since his debut in 2012. He represented the Lions in 52 games after joining the club at the end of 2015, but couldn’t cement a spot last season, managing just 11 games.
The 27-year-old has already got to know his teammates at a recent pre-season camp, revealing he is set to shave his head after losing an initiation challenge.
“The boys have been hassling me to hurry up and get the clippers out,” he joked.