Andrew Walker (footballer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Andrew Walker |
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Walker with Carlton in March 2017
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Andrew Walker | ||
| Date of birth | 18 May 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Echuca, Victoria | ||
| Original team | Bendigo Pioneers (TAC Cup) | ||
| Draft | No. 2 (PP), 2003 National Draft, Carlton | ||
| Position(s) | Forward, defender | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Andrew Walker (born 18 May 1986) is a former professional Australian rules football player. He played for the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Contents
Andrew Walker's Early Life
Andrew has Indigenous Australian heritage. His family comes from the Yorta Yorta group.
He started playing football in country towns. Later, he played for Bendigo in the TAC Cup. This is where talent scouts noticed him.
Andrew went to St Joseph's College Echuca and Caulfield Grammar School. He finished school in 2004.
Andrew's AFL Career Highlights
Joining the Carlton Blues
Carlton picked Andrew as their second overall choice in the 2003 National Draft. This was a special "priority draft pick." Carlton had fewer early picks because of past rule breaches.
Andrew was given the famous number 1 guernsey. This jersey belonged to Carlton legend Stephen Silvagni. Andrew was one of the youngest players in the 2003 draft. He was still in his final year of school when he started playing.
Amazing Debut and Early Years
Andrew played his first AFL game in 2004. It was against West Coast at Optus Oval. His first game was amazing for a young player. He had 26 disposals (times he got the ball). He also helped set up three goals.
He was even nominated for the AFL Rising Star award. This award goes to the best young players.
After his great start, Andrew worked hard to play consistently. By 2006, he became a strong player for Carlton. He often played as a "tagger." This meant he would closely guard the best player on the other team. He also helped move the ball from defense. His good play in 2006 earned him a top-10 spot in Carlton's best-and-fairest award.
In 2007, Andrew moved into the midfield. He used his speed and ball-carrying skills there. He signed a contract to stay with Carlton until 2009.
Overcoming Injuries
Andrew faced tough times with shoulder injuries in 2008 and 2009. He needed surgery twice. These injuries meant he could only play a few games. He managed only thirteen matches over two seasons.
After returning to regular games in 2010, Andrew worked hard to keep his spot. He was a midfielder and utility player.
Becoming a Star Forward
In 2011, Andrew found a new role as a key forward. He became a very important player for Carlton. He played all 24 games that season. He kicked 56 goals, making him Carlton's top goalkicker. He also finished sixth in the club's best and fairest award.
In one game in 2011, Andrew took an incredible mark. He jumped high over an Essendon player. Many people thought it was one of the best marks ever. For his great career, he was given life membership at the Carlton Football Club in December 2011.
Reaching 200 Games and Retirement
In June 2014, Andrew injured his knee. This injury affected him for the rest of his career. Despite this, in July 2016, he made history. He became the first Aboriginal footballer to play 200 games for Carlton. He reached this milestone against Collingwood.
Andrew continued to struggle with his knee. In August, he announced he would retire. His last game was in round 20 against St Kilda at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Andrew Walker's AFL Statistics
Here are Andrew Walker's career statistics:
| G | Goals | B | Behinds | K | Kicks | H | Handballs | D | Disposals | M | Marks | T | Tackles |
| Season | Team | No. | Games | Totals | Averages (per game) | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | K | H | D | M | T | G | B | K | H | D | M | T | ||||
| 2004 | Carlton | 1 | 15 | 2 | 4 | 97 | 45 | 142 | 41 | 21 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 6.5 | 3.0 | 9.5 | 2.7 | 1.4 |
| 2005 | Carlton | 1 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 123 | 54 | 177 | 44 | 37 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 6.8 | 3.0 | 9.8 | 2.4 | 2.1 |
| 2006 | Carlton | 1 | 22 | 6 | 6 | 270 | 112 | 382 | 118 | 40 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 12.3 | 5.1 | 17.4 | 5.4 | 1.8 |
| 2007 | Carlton | 1 | 19 | 10 | 7 | 252 | 139 | 391 | 91 | 48 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 13.3 | 7.3 | 20.6 | 4.8 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | Carlton | 1 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 87 | 51 | 138 | 44 | 20 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 12.4 | 7.3 | 19.7 | 6.3 | 2.9 |
| 2009 | Carlton | 1 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 63 | 49 | 112 | 33 | 7 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 10.5 | 8.2 | 18.7 | 5.5 | 1.2 |
| 2010 | Carlton | 1 | 16 | 5 | 4 | 203 | 131 | 334 | 97 | 22 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 12.7 | 8.2 | 20.9 | 6.1 | 1.4 |
| 2011 | Carlton | 1 | 24 | 56 | 27 | 238 | 111 | 349 | 111 | 62 | 2.3 | 1.1 | 9.9 | 4.6 | 14.5 | 4.6 | 2.6 |
| 2012 | Carlton | 1 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 169 | 106 | 275 | 56 | 36 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 11.3 | 7.1 | 18.3 | 3.7 | 2.4 |
| 2013 | Carlton | 1 | 23 | 7 | 3 | 398 | 130 | 528 | 102 | 48 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 17.3 | 5.7 | 23.0 | 4.4 | 2.1 |
| 2014 | Carlton | 1 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 223 | 92 | 315 | 71 | 28 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 15.9 | 6.6 | 22.5 | 5.1 | 2.0 |
| 2015 | Carlton | 1 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 106 | 57 | 163 | 48 | 22 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 8.8 | 4.8 | 13.6 | 4.0 | 1.8 |
| 2016 | Carlton | 1 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 77 | 53 | 130 | 34 | 25 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 7.0 | 4.8 | 11.8 | 3.1 | 2.3 |
| Career | 202 | 139 | 84 | 2306 | 1130 | 3436 | 890 | 416 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 11.4 | 5.6 | 17.0 | 4.4 | 2.1 | ||
Andrew Walker's Life After Football
After retiring from playing, Andrew continued to work with Carlton. He became a "Development & Integration" coach. His job is to help new players. He guides them as they become professional footballers.
Andrew is married to Kylie. They have three children: two boys named Cody Jay and Arli, and a daughter named Leti.
See Also
- List of Caulfield Grammar School people
