2ndeffort wrote:
DLC wrote:
Josh Walker can play. Probably seen as surplus to Geelong's needs up forward when they have Hawkins, Vardy, Clarke, Stanley and Kersten (though not sure of his contract status) as tall options. He'll be 23 in November. Has good hands, hits contests hard (doesn't mind the physical contest) and has a good work rate. He's also quick. At Geelong's time trials it's Mark Blicavs, Selwood then Walker. Can play as a lead up forward or pinch hit in the ruck (which would leave Levi to play forward all game). He knows what a successful club environment looks like and that you need to work hard to make it (having come off Geelong's rookie list, like Carrazzo which worked out pretty well for us). And for those who like trivia his Grandfather is Geelong premiership player Peter Walker.
How did this latter day Royce Hart end up in the Rookie Draft? Dean Cox Mk 2? What was the initial rub on him that saw every club overlook him a couple of times before Geelong finally picked him up?
I guess the same way that Josh Jenkins (now at Adelaide but pick 12 by Essendon*), Tom Jonas (16 - Port), Luke Dalhaus (22- Bulldogs), Jason Johannisen (39 - Bulldogs), Jeremy McGovern (44 - West Coast), Will Langford (85 - Hawthorn) all did. It happens.
Josh turned 18 the week prior to the National draft so maybe as a big guy Geelong recognised that he would need time to develop. He was a nominated Rookie in 2013 and played in the QF against Freo. Geelong saw enough in him to elevate him from the Rookie list for season 2014. He played both of their finals games. Kicked 1 goal against Hawthorn in the Qualifying Final (Hawkins kicked 3) and then kicked 3 goals against North in the Semi Final (Hawkins kicked 5). He's no dud.
He's managed to play 33 games at a club which has a strong history of success and intense competition for spots. His game tally surpasses the combined number of games played by Carlton's 3 selections in that National Draft (Watson (18), McCarthy (34) and Mitchell (42)).