Josh Walker (born 12 November 1992) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who has played for the Geelong Football Club, Brisbane Lions and the North Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
| Josh Walker | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Walker in August 2018 | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Josh Walker | ||
| Nickname(s) | Walks, Plugs | ||
| Date of birth | 12 November 1992 | ||
| Original team(s) |
Lara (GFL) Geelong Falcons (TAC Cup) | ||
| Draft | No. 23, 2011 Rookie Draft, Geelong | ||
| Height | 197 cm (6 ft 6 in) | ||
| Weight | 98 kg (216 lb) | ||
| Position(s) | Key Defender[1] | ||
| Playing career1 | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 2012–2015 | Geelong | 33 (35) | |
| 2016–2019 | Brisbane Lions | 52 (34) | |
| 2020–2022 | North Melbourne | 54 (6) | |
| Total | 139 (75) | ||
|
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of Round 23 2022. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
AFL career
editWalker was recruited by Geelong in the 2011 rookie draft with pick 23. He made his debut in round 16, 2012, against Collingwood at the MCG. He is the grandson of Geelong premiership player Peter Walker.[2] A strong-marking ruck/forward who found his place in the team limited behind Tom Hawkins and James Podsiadly. Once Podsiadly left for Adelaide he was selected as the second tall forward, he managed 33 games and 35 goals in four seasons.[3]
He was traded to Brisbane in the 2015 trade period.[3] After four years at the Lions, he was delisted at the conclusion of the 2019 AFL season[4] at which time he accepted an offer to play for North Melbourne. In 2020, Walker signed a contract extension to play for North until the end of 2021. [5] After a strong 2021 season, Walker signed another one-year extension with the Kangaroos, extending his contract until at least the end of the 2022 season.[6] Walker mostly played as a defender for North and was a regular starting player during his time at the club where he was known as a strong intercept marker. Shortly after the 2022 season, Walker was advised by the Kangaroos that he wouldn’t be offered a contract by the club for 2023.[7] Walker subsequently announced his retirement from the AFL in December 2022 after a career of 139 Games in the league.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Josh Walker". Brisbane Lions. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
- ^ "AFL draft prospect Josh Walker hoping to walk in his grandad's footsteps". Geelong Advertiser. 13 November 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
- ^ a b Ryan, Peter (19 October 2015). "Cats head off to the Lions for future pick". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "Lions make further list changes".
- ^ "Walker triggers extension".
- ^ "Josh Walker re-signs".
- ^ Kalinic, Dejan (16 October 2022). "Former Hawks midfielder among four Kangaroos axed". AFL Media.
- ^ "Former Roos defender announces retirement".
External links
edit
- Josh Walker's profile on the official website of the Brisbane Lions
- Josh Walker's playing statistics from AFL Tables
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