Will Walker (Australian footballer)

Will Walker (born 30 March 1999) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for North Melbourne in the Australian Football League (AFL). He made his debut in round 19 of the 2018 season against West Coast at Bellerive Oval.[1]

Will Walker
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-03-30) 30 March 1999
Original team(s) Sandringham Dragons (TAC Cup)
Draft 23, 2017 national draft
Debut 29 July 2018, North Melbourne
vs. West Coast, at Bellerive Oval
Height 186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 78 kg (172 lb)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current club North Melbourne
Number 27
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2018– North Melbourne 4 (4)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2018.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Walker attended Melbourne High School and graduated from the school in 2017 as the sports champion. Walker played both soccer and football in his youth. He left football for several years to focus on soccer, but returned in 2016, when he was 16, to play for the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup.[2][3] Walker said his switch was influenced by friends who played football.[3] Walker impressed in his 2017 season (notably kicking three last-quarter goals in a strong performance against the Western Jets[4]) but was not considered a top-30 draft prospect.[2] He was drafted by North Melbourne with pick 23 in the 2017 national draft, their second selection. North Melbourne's National Recruiting Manager Mark Finnigan cited his speed as a reason for his selection.[5] Walker suffered glandular fever at the start of 2018,[6] but recovered to play consistent football in the Victorian Football League.[7] Walker was named as a North Melbourne emergency several times[7] before coach Brad Scott confirmed that he would debut against West Coast in round 19.[8]

References
  1. "North Melbourne Vs West Coast Eagles – Match Centre – AFL.com.au". afl.com.au. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  2. Jones, Mitchell (27 July 2018). "The Will to play". nmfc.com.au. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  3. Jones, Mitchell (29 November 2017). "Walker's perfect cross". nmfc.com.au. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  4. McEvoy, Simon (1 August 2017). "Will Walker lights it up at Frankston Park as Sandringham Dragons make it five on the spin". Herald Sun. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  5. Loftus, Thomas (24 November 2017). "Pick 23: Will Walker". nmfc.com.au. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  6. "Will Walker on life at AFL level". Sandringham Dragons. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  7. Ellis, Brock (16 May 2018). "VFL: Walker's early boost". nmfc.com.au. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  8. Bowen, Nick (26 July 2018). "Young Roo midfielder to debut against Eagles". afl.com.au. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
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