Andrew Walker Biography

Ollie Wines' reveals that his childhood hero, Andrew Walker, once tried to orchestrate a trade for him to join the Blues.

Through a connection with Wines' father Tony in their hometown of Echuca, Walker put in a call to Carlton to alert them that Wines could be gettable.

"Obviously he's (Walker) got links back to Carlton and nothing was put into place and the wheels didn't start to move, but he was sort of a bit of a conduit there to join me to Carlton," Wines explained.

"It didn't happen and I'm pretty glad it didn't happen because I love this club, I love what we're building. Despite not reaching the ultimate success the last two years, I know what we're capable of and we'll be contending for the rest of my career here."

Recently retired Blue Andrew Walker will return to the club as a assistant coach in 2017.

"We're delighted Andrew will continue his career at Carlton as a development and integration coach – his experience and knowledge of the game will be invaluable for our young players," head of football Andrew McKay said.

"Andrew's core responsibilities will involve assisting the first-year players' transition into the AFL system, which is a really important process, as well as working alongside fellow development coaches, Mathew Capuano and Josh Fraser.

"He was a key part of the leadership group this season so Andrew's ability drive and set high standards at the club will be really beneficial."

Andrew Walker announces his retirement after fighting a losing battle with his body over recent seasons.

Walker said it was an emotional time but a knee injury he had battled for the past three years had forced his hand.

"I just can't do my job anymore and I am just finding it really hard to get up every week to play AFL football," Walker said.

"I have had some great years. It's been the best part of my life."

Andrew Walker's troublesome knee problems will see him on the sidelines for a few weeks.

"It's been a little bit sore. Also tightened up through the rest of his body," Carlton coach Brendon Bolton said.

"It will probably be a few weeks out (for Walker)."

Andrew Walker believes he is finally on top of the knee issues that have plagued him over the past two seasons, a development that paved the way for his return to Carlton's leadership group in 2016.

"It was good to sit down with 'Bolts' (coach Brendon Bolton), the rehab physio, the physios and the doctors and actually put a full plan in place going forward," Walker said.

"It's not a secret that the knee was an issue last year and obviously the year before because I had to stop playing footy in July 2014 and it really didn't let up from 2014 through to 2015.

"I was 27-28 then and 29 now – I understand I'm not a spring chicken – so you do have your doubts when things are going pear-shaped like that.

"At the minute it's all tracking along really nicely. I'm really confident with where the program's got me sitting."

Marc Murphy is reappointed as Carlton captain for 2016, but the Blues have overhauled their leadership group with the skipper and Bryce Gibbs the only survivors from the 2015 line-up.

In the new-look team, veteran Kade Simpson will take over as sole vice-captain from Murphy's 2015 joint deputies Bryce Gibbs and Michael Jamison.

Youngsters Patrick Cripps, 20, and Sam Docherty, 22, are among five additions to the 2016 group, as the Blues' next generation of leaders begins to emerge.

Hard-running midfielder Ed Curnow, 26, also joins the leadership team for the first time, while former members Simpson, 31, and Andrew Walker, 29, return after one-year absences.

Walker said Murphy had always loomed as the logical captaincy choice.

"After the tough year that we had and the amount of scrutiny that he copped I think the natural thing would have been for somebody to go into their shell," Walker said.

"But he has always stood up and really been at the forefront for the Carlton footy club. He copped a lot of scrutiny, but I think the way he was able to come out of it and the amount of confidence he's still got to lead the footy club is going to be great for us going forward."

Andrew Walker looks set to play no part in Carlton's pre-season games after recently undergoing a third bout of surgery on his troublesome knee.

"It's unfortunate that Andrew's had another setback with his knee, however we are looking forward to him returning to full training soon and he remains in contention for round one," Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said.

"Andrew was progressing well in his recovery, but last week pinched his meniscus while training."

Andrew Walker's recovery from knee surgery has been slower than expected but Carlton is hopeful the half-back will play some part in its NAB Challenge campaign.

"He's just been a little bit slow and it's a matter of just monitoring him and maintaining a smart sort of way of training," Carlton coaching director Rob Wiley said.

"The good thing about Andrew is he's a very fit young man, he's got that ability to come through with his athleticism. He'll just fit back in nicely."

Carlton cuts it's leadership group from eight to five.

Sam Rowe is a new addition to the group while Andrew Carrazzo, Kade Simpson, Andrew Walker and the delisted Brock McLean have left the group.

Existing leadership group members include Marc Murphy, who will continue as captain, Michael Jamison, Bryce Gibbs and Lachie Henderson.

Andrew Walker will miss the rest of the season after Carlton decided to put the defender in for knee surgery.

"Andrew's knee has been troubling him for a significant amount of the season, but to his credit he has managed to play through the pain and make a solid contribution for our team," Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said.

"While we have reduced Andrew's training load and managed the injury as best we can, we believe it's his best interests to have an arthroscope now to ensure it doesn't get any worse."

Andrew Walker will miss the Blues' round two clash with Richmond after accepting a one-match ban for throwing Angus Monfries into the Etihad Stadium fence.

Andrew Walker signs a new three-year contract with Carlton as the Blues set about securing their remaining free agents.

"I had one of my best seasons last year and leading into this season I'm feeling a bit fitter and a bit better, so hopefully I'm like that rare bottle of wine, only getting better with age," Walker said.

"I've got a lot of confidence in myself now and I feel like I've settled."

Carlton has announced an expanded eight-man leadership group for 2014 to be headed by second-year captain Marc Murphy.

Andrew Carrazzo and Kade Simpson will be joint vice-captains, while defender Michael Jamison returns to the group after 12 months in the role of deputy vice-captain.

As well as Jamison, Bryce Gibbs, Lachie Henderson, Brock McLean and Andrew Walker are new inclusions for 2014.

"We have the experienced leadership of Simpson and Carrazzo, together with Brock McLean who is a strong voice both on and off the field," Blues general manager of football operations Andrew McKay said.

"After 12 months out of the leadership group, Bryce Gibbs and Michael Jamison return, which is great to see, because they're two very important and respected figures within the playing group.

"We're also pleased to see Andrew Walker and Lachie Henderson step up – both have come off a terrific season in 2013, finishing second and third respectively in the best and fairest."

Carlton vice-captain Kade Simpson wins his first club best and fairest with 92 votes, ahead of defender Andrew Walker (77 votes) and utility Lachie Henderson (71 votes).

"Coming in I was hoping, but never really thought it would happen, and then later on the nerves sort of built up when I started polling a bit," Simpson said.

"Absolutely thrilled and, yeah, it's definitely one of my highest achievements."

Andrew Walker takes a screamer against Adelaide in the NAB Cup which goes global on social media, particularly twitter.

"It's like an outfielder climbing a wall to rob a home run, but the wall is a person who is also trying to catch the baseball and the wall is trying to tackle you and dump you on your head," was how Walker's efforts were described.

Blues forward Andrew Walker says he may be used in defence this season under new coach Mick Malthouse.

"I have had a little bit of a talk to him (Malthouse) about possibly playing some games in defence," Walker said.

"He threw up a few names of guys to keep in the back of my head as possible match-ups.

"It's something I like to have up my sleeve just in case you're having a bad run up forward, you can push down back and lock down on someone."

Andrew Walker will be rushed straight into Carlton's senior side after recovering from a quadriceps tendon injury.

"He won't play in the VFL, he'll come straight back in, and I'm glad he's back because he's bothered me," Blues coach Brett Ratten said.

"He's [been] in my office, he's sending me text messages 'I'm ready, I'm ready to go, pick me'. He was like that last week. Maybe I should have picked him last week, but we just needed to make sure we got those [recovery] things right."

Andrew Walker is set to miss Carlton's final hit-out of the pre-season after failing to shake quad soreness.

"He played for the first time [in the pre-season] and he's still a bit stiff," Blues' football manager Andrew McKay said.

"He's getting some treatment on that this week. He had another scan … and the tendon is not quite right. He can do most things, but it's just the odd kick on the run that tightens it up.

"It's just a management thing really on how much he can do."

Carlton forward Andrew Walker could become a much more permanent fixture in the midfield in 2012.

"With the way footy is played now, Eddie [Betts], Jeffy [Garlett] and Walks, they all need to be able to go into the midfield if needed," Carlton forwards coach John Barker said.

"The only issue I've got at the moment is that the midfield coaches are pretty keen to get him back into that part of the ground, so we're having a bit of a tug of war at the moment about where he'll play."

Andrew Walker is unlucky to have been left out of the All-Australian squad after kicking 50.25 during the regular season to finish seventh in the race for the Coleman Medal while averaging over 14 disposals as a forward.

Carlton forward Andrew Walker says an ultimatum to coach Brett Ratten that he play in the attacking half saved his career at Visy Park.

"I thought to myself, 'Well, if they're going to play me as a backman then I don't think that's where I play my best football' and I didn't think I was getting used to the best of my ability. I felt, not that I was being wasted, but that I wasn't being able to play to my strengths and it was frustrating," Walker said.

"I wanted to be able to give my best, whether it be at Carlton or elsewhere, because I knew my best football would come from playing up forward."

Carlton has signed Andrew Walker and Kade Simpson, two of its best players this season, to three-year contract extensions.

"It's great to have these two blokes," Carlton president Stephen Kernahan said.

"Andrew Walker has been fantastic this season, injury-free and going well and Simmo is the barometer of this football club."

A fit Andrew Walker says coach Brett Ratten's assurance of more midfield and forward time encouraged him to stay at Carlton.

"We both sat down and decided that my best football would be played as an onballer or up forward, and that's where I thought I played my best football," Walker said.

"I was lucky enough to play the (Sydney) final as a forward and show that I could definitely take on the job as a forward or defensive forward. And I know that I've got the tank to play as a midfielder."

Andrew Walker's bid to move to Port Adelaide or the Western Bulldogs has failed, and his manager, Tom Petroro, says he is comfortable remaining with Carlton.

"Brett assures me that the opportunities are going to be there for Andrew, so it's pretty exciting," Petroro said.

"Brett's aware of what area he needs to help Andrew with and Andrew's aware also of what he needs to work on. I think that both parties will be fine and will hopefully work through a really successful career at the Carlton footy club for Andrew."

Peter Rohde says Port Adelaide is keen to trade for Carlton's Andrew Walker, but can't afford both him and Daniel Motlop.

"It's a bit tied up in the Motlop thing, and there's quite a few clubs we've spoken with, and there just needs to be a bit of movement in the last day or two there," Port Adelaide football operations manager Peter Rohde said.

"For us to get Andrew in, we need to get a player out from a cash point of view."

The Western Bulldogs have been given permission to speak with Carlton defender Andrew Walker about a possible trade.

Adelaide recruiting manager Matt Rendell has confirmed his club's interest in Carlton's Andrew Walker who is understood to be receptive to a move south.

"We want to follow up with Walker because finding somebody who wants to come and live in Adelaide and is not born and bred here is like finding a big chunk of gold in your backyard," Rendell said.

Andrew Walker's manager Tom Petroro confirms that his client is genuinely interested in moving to the Crows despite still being under contract to the Blues in 2011.

"He is contracted and it's not as if Carlton is saying, 'Get out the door', so it won't be easy (for Walker to move)," Petroro said.

"But it's one of those situations where club and player have been pretty transparent with each other and, if it suits all parties, then it works. If not, he goes back to Carlton."

Carlton defender Andrew Walker's frustrating run with injury has continued with a broken collarbone suffered in Monday's win over Geelong.

The AFL will take no further action against Carlton players following the Blues' controversial end of year celebrations involving drunken antics by Eddie Betts, Ryan Houlihan and Andrew Walker.

"It is important that the club continues to pursue a culture of responsible use of alcohol," AFL general manager of football Adrian Anderson said.

"The club has already taken steps to improve in this area, but the AFL will appoint an appropriate person to consult with the club to further assist the club in its approach to responsible use of alcohol."

Errant trio Eddie Betts, Ryan Houlihan and Andrew Walker have been suspended from the Blues for a month and will not be eligible for NAB Cup selection.

The trio incurred their suspensions following a drunken episode aboard a cruise ship just prior to the Christmas break.

"They will be suspended from the club immediately for a period of one month, and during this time they will complete all training away from the rest of the player group, and with the Northern Bullants," club president Stephen Kernahan said.

"They will also be unavailable for selection for the NAB Cup, and we know this will impact on their preparation for the home and away season - clearly it was completely unacceptable."

Ryan Houlihan and Andrew Walker have been penalised for their part in an incident at Crown Casino on Sunday morning.

The pair have been banned from Crown after an alleged drunken scuffle with a woman and a security guard at the casino.

Both players were hit with the maximum penalty under the League and AFL Players' Association code of conduct, understood to be $5000.

"This incident is unacceptable and a poor reflection on the Carlton Football Club," chief executive Greg Swann said in a statement.

"It is an even greater disappointment to have this type of behaviour at a time when we are making considerable improvements to the club on and off the field."

After his latest round of shoulder surgery Carlton's Andrew Walker says he'll be ready to play in eight weeks.

"It just wouldn't stay in, but the surgeon has told me that you'd basically need a tractor to pull the thing out now," Walker said.

"If I can go out with those words then I'm going to be as confident as ever.

"I'm only about two weeks off training again which is great. I'd like to be back playing in two or three weeks, but I know the doctors won't let me do that.

"Worst-case scenario it's probably eight weeks which is a lot sooner than was first thought."

The injury curse continued today for Carlton's Andrew Walker with the livewire midfielder to miss most of this season after shoulder surgery.

Carlton utility Andrew Walker has re-injured his troublesome right shoulder in a VFL practice match.

There will be some lively discussions around the Carlton selection table this week with Brett Ratten loathe to change a winning combination despite the availability of first-round absentees Shaun Grigg and Andrew Walker.

"That might be the debate to maybe have to tell Grigg and Walker that they're not in. That's the conundrum," Ratten said.

Carlton will almost certainly include Heath Scotland and Andrew Walker in its Round 1 side to face Richmond after both cruised through a VFL intraclub match yesterday.

Carlton to take cautious approach with Andrew Walker after surgeon clears him of further damage to shoulder.

Andrew Walker's shoulder injury could sideline him for the season start again.

Andrew Walker will miss 12 weeks of football to have surgery on his right shoulder.

Walker re-injured the same shoulder operated on late last year during Carlton's practice match win over the Bulldogs.