Andrew Walker (footballer)

Infobox afl player


firstname = Andrew
lastname = Walker


| birthdate = Birth date and age|df=yes|1986|5|18
birthplace = Echuca, Victoria
originalteam = Bendigo U18 (TAC Cup)
heightweight = 189cm / 85kg
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
debutdate = Round 5, 24 April 2004
debutteam = Carlton
debutopponent = West Coast Eagles
debutstadium = Optus Oval
playingteams = Carlton (2004-)

81 games, 30 goals
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = 2008
careerhighlights =

*AFL Rising Star nominee 2004

Andrew "Tex" Walker (born 18 May 1986), is an Australian Rules Footballer.

Andrew Walker plays for Carlton in the Australian Football League. He was taken with Carlton's priority draft pick, the second pick overall, in the 2003 National Draft. Being a high draft pick, there are large expectations on Andrew, and accordingly he was given Carlton champion Stephen Silvagni's guernsey number 1 after its two-year retirement.

Andrew made his debut in Round 5, 2004 in Carlton's win over West Coast at Optus Oval, a performance that was considered one of the greatest debuts ever by a young player. In that game, he amassed 26 disposals, assisted five goals, and flew for what may well have been Mark of the Year had he held on to the ball. Walker rightfully earned a Rising Star Award nomination for that performance. Andrew was a bottom-aged player in the 2003 Draft, and studied Year 12 - Victorian Certificate of Education - during his debut year, at Caulfield Grammar School.

For the rest of 2004 and 2005, Andrew struggled to reproduce the stunning form he displayed on debut, and it wasn't until 2006 that he started to play consistent football for the Carlton senior side. In 2006, Andrew had a number of very successful games as a tagger (often tagging the opposition's premier midfielder), and also provided much run off half back. Andrew's good 2006 was acknowledged by the club with a Top 10 placing in the club's Best and Fairest Award.

In 2007 Walker continued to develop as a footballer, and moved into Carlton's midfield where he uses his pace and ball carrying ability. In mid 2007, he signed a deal tying him to the club until 2009.

Walker's 2007-08 off-season was affected by a shoulder injury. He recuperated without surgery to play in Carlton's pre-season games, but injured it again in the Blues' final practice match, requiring a reconstruction which prevented him from playing until round 16 of the 2008 season. Upon his comeback he has been successfully used across the Half-Forward line.

Trivia

Outside of football, Walker is currently in the band, "Number One Draft Picks' and plays the drum like his father.

Walker's nickame is "Tex", a reference to television program Walker, Texas Ranger. 3AW commentator Rex Hunt has also used the nickname "1AW", in reference to his guernsey number and initials.

Walker has a son named Cody Jay (born 26 January 2008) with partner Kylie.

External links

*Carlplayer|ref=288548
*AflRleague|ref=A/Andrew_Walker.html
* [http://www.blueseum.org/cfc/tiki-index.php?page=Andrew+Walker Andrew Walker Profile in Blueseum (Blue's website)]