Both exceeded expectations as bottom-age prospects before entering the AFL (or in Derm’s case, the VFL).
Brereton was a Hawthorn-zoned player, and has previously discussed how his 15-year-old self was so dominant in Frankston’s under-16 side, the Hawks had to immediately elevate him into the 19s.
Meanwhile, at 14, Echuca’s Walker was playing under-16 football for the Murray Bombers. He made his under-18 debut for the club at just 15.
This year, the midfielder has proven age is just a number at senior level.
Walker’s spectacular VFL debut for Carlton in May was widely praised by the AFL world, only increasing the expectations on him.
Posting 27 touches at 63 per cent efficiency, five clearances, five inside 50s, four score involvements and five intercept possessions wasn’t a bad statement.
Walker has previously described how 2026 has seen him essentially treated as a first-year player at the Blues, as they are expected to draft him through a father-son selection in November.
In summary, to this point, his young career has constantly been on an upward trajectory.
And hearing consistent praise can be detrimental to any draft prospect, given the potential for complacency to set in.
There’s also the knock-on effect of what Carlton will need to give up to secure Walker.
The Blues are victims of their own success, their resurgence under Josh Fraser in the second half of 2026 giving them less valuable picks on draft night.
The club may need to add more picks to accrue the required number of points for a Walker bid, should another club try to take him at number one.
Brereton, who admitted he hadn’t taken a close look, expressed caution when The Riv asked for his opinion on the midfielder.
“I hope he’s a really good young man,” the Hawks great said, speaking at an event promoting Rural Imaging Australia and La Roche-Posay’s Skin Check Tour at Rich River Golf Club.
“You don’t want to walk in and be overconfident because there may be boys at Carlton who lose good friends and strong teammates to make way for Cody to get the points to get him into the team.
“He just needs to feel his way gently, be appreciative of what he’s got and be totally thankful for his new teammates for accepting him in.
“But he must be a good player, which is going to put some pressure on him straight away.”
Walker already being at Carlton headquarters for a year should help the transition, and Brereton also highlighted the obvious importance of staying free from injuries.
The local suffered an acromioclavicular strain to his shoulder at the under-18 national championships in June, but it was only minor.
The next step in Walker’s pre-draft process is the AFL Draft Combine, held from Thursday, October 1 to Saturday, October 3.
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