{"id":209190,"date":"2026-02-25T18:50:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T08:50:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=209190"},"modified":"2026-02-25T18:52:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T08:52:43","slug":"2026-afl-draft-race-to-1-cody-walker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/02\/25\/2026-afl-draft-race-to-1-cody-walker\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFL Draft | Race to #1: Cody Walker"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FOR FANS of AFL clubs starved of on-field success, draft and trade wins often provide beacons of hope. Nostalgia helps too, and that’s exactly what the emergence of father-son gun Cody Walker<\/a> is providing Carlton fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> SCROLL for player highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The son of 202-game former Blue Andrew<\/em><\/strong> last year declared his intentions to pursue ties to Princes Park, having also been a member of Richmond’s Next Generation Academy (NGA). It has allowed him the opportunity to spend much of the preseason training at his future home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While clubs are still in the dark regarding potential changes to the father-son and academy bidding process, the Blues have already mobilised to ensure they can match a likely very<\/em> early bid for Walker in this year’s draft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s for good reason too. With a full top-age campaign to play out, Walker has already racked up a string of accolades. This year, he’s a member of the AFL Academy and will look to repeat the feat of his title-winning Under 16 carnival in 2024, whereby he ended up a state MVP and All-Australian captain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> ONES TO WATCH:<\/strong> 26 AFL Draft prospects for 2026<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"BendigoBendigo Pioneers<\/a>, \"VicVic Country<\/a>Midfielder<\/span><\/div>

Cody Walker<\/h4>

Height: <\/span>184cm<\/p>

Weight: <\/span> - <\/p>

DOB: <\/span>26-01-2008<\/p><\/div><\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

BY THE NUMBERS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2025 AFL U18 National Championships (4 games)<\/em><\/strong>
17.5 disposals | 4.8 marks | 2.0 tackles | 3.5 inside 50s | 0.3 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2025 Talent League (13 games)<\/em><\/strong>
25.6 disposals | 5.3 marks | 4.9 clearances | 6.1 inside 50s | 0.7 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACCOLADES:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 AFL Academy member
2025 National Futures best on ground
2025 Talent League Team of the Year
2025 Bendigo Pioneers Rising Star
2025 Vic Country U18 debut
2024 Talent League debut
2024 U16 All-Australian captain
2024 Vic Country U16 MVP
2023 SSA U15 All-Australian<\/p>\n

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Walker training with Carlton’s AFL group | Image Credit: James Wiltshire\/AFL Photos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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STRENGTHS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

+ Accumulation
+ Athleticism
+ Contested ball
+ Explosive speed
+ Professionalism
+ Work rate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walker is already quite a well-rounded prospect, especially as far as midfielders go. He has a dip in contested situations and is more than capable of winning the hard ball, possessing clean hands and great stoppage nous. From there, his power and athleticism come into play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walker has a terrific turn of speed, aiding his ability to escape to the outside and continue to take ground. Part of what makes Walker so hard to contain is that power, but also his toughness and how he stays on his toes in anticipation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outside of the stoppages, Walker remains a consistent accumulator with his ability to cover ground effortlessly. He has an insatiable appetite for possessions, able to work into space and demand the ball from teammates, who are more than willing to return the usual role of provider he plays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His sheer work rate means he is not only an impactful midfielder, but also a dual-position threat who can roll off half-forward. Walker showed in last year’s National Futures game that he can be just as prolific in highly demanding, but less glamorous roles though hard running and smarts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walker’s work ethic is also linked to a high level of professionalism off the field, aided by his experience with Carlton and tutelage from a famous father. One of his intangible traits is his big-game nature, as proven each time he steps up to representative levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Walker stands Willem Duursma at a centre stoppage | Image Credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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QUESTION MARK(S)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Trying to identify weaknesses in such high-end players is often akin to splitting hairs, and that’s hardly different with Walker. Ultimately, he does plenty of things at an elite level and that is what clubs will value. Though, perhaps the most glaring area for improvement revolves around adding polish to Walker’s game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He tends to play at a high intensity and is often moving at speed, which can impact his disposal execution. More specifically, Walker’s kick efficiency can sometimes waver as he bursts into space or runs into trouble. In saying that, he is certainly a penetrating ball user. If Walker can refine his decision making and execution, it will allow him to take his hurt factor to the next level. It’s already high as it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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