Andrew Walker (footballer)

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**Andrew Walker**
Personal information

Birth	May 18, 1986 (1986-05-18) (age 22), Echuca, Victoria
Recruited from	Bendigo U18 (TAC Cup)
Height and weight	189cm / 85kg
Playing career¹
Debut	Round 5, April 24, 2004, Carlton vs. West Coast Eagles, at Optus Oval
Team(s)	Carlton (2004-) 74 games, 24 goals
¹ Statistics to end of 2007 season
Career highlights
AFL Rising Star nominee 2004

Andrew "Tex" Walker (born May 18, 1986), is an Australian Rules Footballer.

Andrew Walker plays for Carlton in the Australian Football League. He was taken with Carlton's priority draft pick, the second pick overall, in the 2003 National Draft. Being a high draft pick, there are large expectations on Andrew, and accordingly he was given Carlton champion Stephen Silvagni's guernsey number 1 after its two-year retirement.

Andrew made his debut in Round 5, 2004 in Carlton's win over West Coast at Optus Oval, a performance that was considered one of the greatest debuts ever by a young player. In that game, he amassed 26 disposals, assisted five goals, and flew for what may well have been Mark of the Year had he held on to the ball. Walker rightfully earned a Rising Star Award nomination for that performance. Andrew was a bottom-aged player in the 2003 Draft, and studied Year 12 - Victorian Certificate of Education - during his debut year, at Caulfield Grammar School.

For the rest of 2004 and 2005, Andrew struggled to reproduce the stunning form he displayed on debut, and it wasn't until 2006 that he started to play consistent football for the Carlton senior side. In 2006, Andrew had a number of very successful games as a tagger (often tagging the opposition's premier midfielder), and also provided much run off half back. Andrew's good 2006 was acknowledged by the club with a Top 10 placing in the club's Best and Fairest Award.

In 2007 Walker continued to develop as a footballer, and moved into Carlton's midfield where he uses his pace and ball carrying ability. In mid 2007, he signed a deal tying him to the club until 2009.

Walker's 2007-08 off-season was affected by a shoulder injury. He recuperated without surgery to play in Carlton's pre-season games, but injured it again in the Blues' final practice match, requiring a reconstruction which will prevent him from playing until the latter half of 2008.

[edit] Trivia

Outside of football, Walker is currently in the band, "Number One Draft Picks' and plays the drum like his father.

Walker's nickame is Tex, a reference to television program Walker, Texas Ranger. 3AW commentator Rex Hunt has also used the nickname 1AW, in reference to his guernsey number and initials.

Walker has a son named Cody Jay (born January 26, 2008) with partner Kylie.