Cody Walker to debut for Echuca this weekend in seniors

At just 15 he is firmly in the eyes of recruiters at both Richmond and Carlton but this weekend Cody Walker, the son of former Blue Andrew, is preparing for another big milestone.

Cody Walker of Vic Country celebrates a goal during the AFL 2024 Under 16 Boys Championships match between Vic Metro and Vic Country at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on June 8. He will debut for Echuca this weekend. Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos.

Potential future father-son pick Cody Walker, at just 15 years old, will this weekend take a step into the big league when he plays his first senior level match against men.

According to his coach, mentor, father and former Carlton great Andrew Walker, Cody will have no trouble making the step up to seniors as he prepares for the biggest day of his young career.

The son of a gun has been rewarded for his past month of football, named in the Echuca senior squad to play Shepparton Bears in a top-of-the-table clash in the Goulburn Valley Football League on Saturday.

Cody, 15, impressed last Saturday for the Victoria Country under-16 team, kicking two goals against Victoria Metro in a 22-point win.

His performance in that game helped lead to his senior debut.

Cody Walker with his family after being presented with his VIctoria Country under-16 jumper. Picture: Echuca Football Netball Club.

“We (the Echuca committee) have been monitoring Cody,” Andrew said.

“We monitored the way he’s been going in the Echuca under-18 side and he had three best on grounds with the under-18 team.

“He then had a best on ground with school and then a best on ground with Victoria Country.

“It was unanimous that we wanted him to play.

“We picked our best side based on performance in all the grades and felt slotting him into the side was appropriate.

“He’s still eligible for 16s and we had to get an exemption for him through the AFL to play under-18 and even senior football.”

The 202-game former Carlton player said his son was ready to make the step up.

“His body has developed really nicely, he’s 80kg and six foot two,” he said.

“It’s not like he’s a small kid.

“For me we just looked at the fact he is that size now, he’s been performing against solid kids in the under-18 system, so we feel he’s right.”

Andrew added he’s been impressed with how his son has dealt with the expectations as his game starts to attract attention.

“I’ve been watching his journey throughout the years and he had an outstanding first game of the carnival on Saturday, so it was so good to watch him,” he said.

“I’m fairly fortunate with Cody he’s more of a mate than a son.

“He’s been through the journey with me.

“When I retired he was nine or 10 years of age so his eyes have been wide open for a long time with the whole system.

“The way he’s handled it with his development and the attention it’s created, obviously being a high performing father son, he’s handled it exceptionally well.

“He’s a super humble young fella and I like the way he’s sticking to being a country boy.”

Andrew revealed he’ll play Cody on the wing for the important clash.

Cody Walker is a future father-son pick in demand. Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos

“It’s a good place for him to start, he’s a powerful runner, so I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes against the men,” Andrew said.

“He’s an inside mid playing under-16 for Victoria, so there might be an opportunity for him to slot in there (inside mid as well).”

AFL clubs Carlton and Richmond have been keeping a key eye on Cody as he develops.

Carlton can claim Cody through father-son while Richmond also has access to the teenager through their next generation academy.

Andrew said both clubs have been fantastic looking after his son.

“He’s a kid that would be happily part of the draft,” he said.

“He’s been very fortunate with our Aboriginal background to be listed with Richmond in their next generation academy.

“They have done an amazing job and the involvement that our family have had, which is really odd and feels really strange after spending 13 years at the Blues, but Richmond have done a fantastic job with the inclusion of us into their Indigenous programming.

“Cody was out on the ground dancing at Dreamtime at the G with all the players.

“It was an amazing experience.”

But the family’s heart is still beating with those famous old dark Blues.

“The Carlton father-son thing, it's a very special thing,” Andrew said.

“As a family we hold it in a really high regard and the club has always treated us with the utmost respect.

“It’s a pinch yourself moment when you walk in the door (at Carlton) with a son who is the same height as you starting to go through an elite program.

“The preference clearly is the Carlton Football Club but he’s a kid who will be happy playing AFL football.”

Originally published as Cody Walker to debut for Echuca this weekend in seniors