Before the Brisbane Lions hoisted a second consecutive AFL premiership on Saturday, Walker took to the MCG as part of Team Docherty, taking on Team Boak in the Marsh Futures match.
The annual futures game on grand final day highlights the best under-17 prospects from the following year’s draft class.
While team Boak scored the win by 13 points, Walker came away with the best-on-ground medal after posting 25 disposals (14 contested), four marks, seven clearances and six inside 50s.
“Obviously, it’s pretty surreal,” Walker said.
“First time playing at the G, it’s something you won’t forget, and it’s such a good arena to play on.
“I was definitely pretty happy with how I went.
“There’s always things to improve on.
“I played two different positions in midfield and forward, and I think I did pretty well in both of those areas and played my role.”
It’s been a busy year for the star junior, joining Victoria Country as a bottom-ager for the under-18 National Championships and, in July, committing to Carlton under the father-son rule.
Andrew Walker played 202 games for the Blues from 2004 to 2016, and co-coached Echuca’s senior side to three straight Goulburn Valley League senior flags from 2022 to 2024.
The younger Walker was part of Richmond’s Next Generation Academy, and had the option of committing to the Tigers, but opted for Carlton, which he has been working with for several years.
“It (was a tough) choice between Richmond as well because they’ve treated me so well over the past few years,” Walker said.
“Choosing Carlton was not a no-brainer, but it was definitely a bit easier for me to go to a club that I’ve always been at.”
Carlton is working to secure the required picks to match any bid for Walker, who is expected to be highly sought after in the draft.
The AFL was considering introducing restrictions on how the father-son rule functions, potentially going as far as preventing top 10 picks from being matched by father-son or academy clubs, but opted against that more drastic move late last month.
The league is still weighing up other changes to the guidelines, including potential restrictions on clubs that finish in the top-four or eight, or setting a maximum number of picks that can be used to match bids.
These changes could affect Walker’s future, particularly if Carlton improves into the top-eight next year.
A packed year of footy also saw Walker suit up 13 times for the Bendigo Pioneers and make four appearances for Echuca’s senior side in the GVL, including in the blockbuster finals clash with Rochester.
“Being able to play pretty good, consistent footy (at the Pioneers) was definitely an aim this year, and I think going back to Echuca in that final game this year against Rochy (was a highlight),” he said.
“I definitely played not too bad, but to play against senior players and play against a pretty good midfield in Rochy was definitely an eye-opener for me.”
Walker said he appreciated the support the Murray Bombers had given him over the years, particularly in 2025 when he was only able to make sporadic appearances.
Already pegged as one of the leading talents for the 2026 draft, Walker is still looking to make the most of his final year in junior football.
“Trying to play to the highest level that I can and play consistently is definitely an aim for me,” he said.
“(I’ll be) trying to get the most out of my last junior year and have some fun as well and then obviously get ready for possibly AFL footy, which would be a dream come true.”
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