After injury restricted him to just one SANFL Under 18s appearance last year, Jake Walker burst onto the scene in 2022 to firmly put himself in draft contention. The strongly built Glenelg midfielder is competitive on the inside, but has the versatility to play at either end of the ground.

He turned out 10 times for the Bays' Under 18s and even cracked a pair of Reserves games, notching 14 disposals in each and booting two goals on debut. Walker's feats also saw him represent South Australia at the National Championships, playing all four games in the tricolours.

At its core, Walker's game is built around a blend of power and cleanliness. He possesses a strong burst from the contest and breaks away cleanly, as his slick hands allow him to easily jet forward in unbroken strides. In a premiership winning Glenelg side which played attractive football, Walker was one who epitomised that free-flowing, aggressive style.

His strong SANFL form translated to the national stage, with Walker averaging 3.8 clearances and 3.5 inside 50s for South Australia. He impressed in dour conditions and brought that patented power to a handy midfield mix, offering his own point of difference for the Croweaters - albeit in a lacklustre campaign for the team.