Family members forever ask when he’s going to stop growing; opposition clubs wonder how they’re going to combat him.
Questions continually abound Joshua Walker who has certainly made his presence felt in more ways than one for Geelong Falcons in the infancy of season 2010.
Walker doesn’t have an answer to the first query. He’s added four centimetres from last season to take him to a strapping 194 cm and all the indications are he’s still got a couple of centimetres to add.
The 17-year-old notes that he’s outgrown his dad and all other male relatives. Complimenting that imposing stature is an athleticism that saw him own a 14.4 Beep Test, a mark he’s confident he can advance.
Walker has been able to combine both attributes most effectively as he’s helped the Falcons start the season with back-to-back wins against Bendigo Pioneers and North Ballarat Rebels.
While he took eight marks and kicked five goals in the Falcons’ season opener win against the Pioneers, it was Walker’s performance against the Rebels that earned him the maximum five TAC Cup Coaches award votes.
The Year 12 Kardinia International College student hauled in 11 marks, kicked two goals and set up multiple more as the Falcons defeated North Ballarat by 32-points.
“It’s been a good start. All that hard work during the pre-season is starting to pay off,” Walker said.
“It’s also pretty handy when I’ve got so many good mid fielders in the team that keep giving me so many opportunities.”
Walker, the grandson of Geelong premiership player and Victorian representative, Peter Walker, said he focused on building up his fitness with extra pre-season sessions.
He’s also worked on his kicking, an aspect of his game that he’s aware needs constant attention.
“As a forward you have to make the most of your opportunities and kick goals. It’s something I’m always working on,” Walker said.
Last season Walker found it hard to break into such a dominant Geelong team that finished six games clear on top of the ladder.
He played just six games before returning to local club Lara where he played in the Under 18s and broke into the seniors for two matches.
“I expected that’s how it would be, but it was good when I got my chance with the Falcons,” Walker said.
Falcons’ Regional Manager Michael Turner said Walker had always displayed above average ability and had blossomed as his development continues to kick in.
Turner noted that Walker’s endurance was telling in that he could “run all day” which allowed him to get to so many contests.
“Athletically, he’s fantastic and he’s an outstanding mark. He’s got a good pair of hands and he crashes the packs,” Turner said.
“He gets a lot of the football and is a good decision maker. He’s really come on this year, hopefully he can keep improving.”
Last Modified on 07/04/2010 16:38