Welcome 2018 national draft, pick 63: Welcome to Hawthorn Mathew Walker

[Jimmy#17]

Some excerpts from the TAC cup match summaries this year.

Walker was a workhorse through the midfield often going in hard.

Walker’s kicking was at its best when he lowered his eyes with nice short passes

Mathew Walker’s pressure was well over standard as well, laying nine tackles.

He has genuine goal sense inside 50 with three goals.

While he does not appear to be blessed with great pace, he has a solid frame to grow into and could become a bit of a bargain later in the draft.

Walker was the key player for the Bushrangers, nailing six goals from 14 disposals and eight marks, booting four goals in the final term.

 

[grizzlym]

Really like this selection. Very interesting player who had some stand out moments in his bottom age year.

More please, Roddy.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

So GWS had the chance to take him at Pick 89 did they ?

 

[OnTheRocks]

Hope this is the first of many steps for Walker

Ill take that pun in my stride

 

[rdhopkins2]

Walker the Hawker!
Let’s hope he can step in to the club quickly and play his role.

 

[wizzard400]

Will his nickname be Texas?

Shortened to just 'Tex' perhaps?


...

 

[hawkermitch]

Welcome to the Mighty Hawks - Mathew Walker. The second hawk selection of 2018 from Murray Bushrangers.

Mathew Walker reminds me of a young Ben Dixon when he plays forward. Heard that he can go in the midfield too. 187cm
Hope this link works -

 

[Rioli2Gunstall]

Missed the draft how did we get pick 63? Did we trade for it or match something?

Edit. Found it

Hawthorn traded Future 4th round pick for pick 63 and a future 5th round pick. Taken from beta_condition

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Good on both sides. Looks super composed. Has strong hands.

I like this pick.

 

[MrPremiership]

We definitely had an eye on this kid for a reason.....traded for him out of nowhere

 

[Roddy27]

More please, Roddy.

There's a link on the previous page to an article, and someone has just posted some match highlights, but as a bottom ager he was finding himself developing really nicely as fwd/high half forward. opportunistic and always seemed to be in the right place. The game where he kicks half of gws's goals is fun. he bagged 5. was only just 17 etc. Played in the all stars game that year etc (the u17 one).

This year he has ticked all the boxes in regards to making all the necessary squads. Murray, academy (including afl academy), and Allies. But he has definitely gotten lost amongst some of the other developing talent that's been available in a pretty strong and even draft. Part of that (not all) is due to an attempt to move him into the midfield at times which has been hit and miss. Good when he's good, not so good when it doesn't pay off. When played forward though, he's still been more comfortable and a goal kicker as well. GWS were probably wanting to take him as a rookie, so pick 63 is about right in the whole scheme of things . More so however is that he hasn't lost his talent or skill. Can kick. Two sided etc. So while not having stood out much this year, there remains a lot to work with.

Shifter is right in terms of how he has fallen off the radar a bit, but bare in mind that were he of draft age last year - the feelings recruiters had towards him would have had him go a lot higher in the draft. Optics are an oft overlooked part of the game.

 

[threesixpio]

Gee he likes to prepare his set shots hey?

 

[Slick]

Excited to see what plans the Hawks have for this young lad. Mark McKenzie said that they liked what they saw when he was moved into the midfield late in the year, has great tackling ability, defensive pressure around the stoppages, good disposal and knows how to go forward and kick a goal.

Always good to have another indigenous kid at the club too! With guys like Silk, Chad and Jars to look up to, I'm sure Mat will fit in fine!

 

[Davo-27]

heres a game with Mathew Walker playing mostly mid if you have 2 1/2 hours to spare, he is the #9 in the brownish uniform

 

[Davo-27]

it would be funny if we go Hudson Garoni, because that would be KPF, KPD and forw/mid from Murray Bushrangers...

 

[Nugett]

Did we have to pick a player with this surname FFS?

This thread will be 95% jokes 5% info on the player.

Well if you don’t like his name, you can always run away instead of walking away.

 

[Roddy]

We’ve talked a lot of talk, now let’s see if he can walk the walk...

 

[Nugett]

Will his nickname be Texas?

Shortened to just 'Tex' perhaps?


...

Nooooooooo!
Don’t want him confused with that flog from Adelaide.

 

[Tomohawks]

Pretty excited about what this kid could become. Looks to have all the tools to play anywhere really. Good luck Mat.

 

[halfback dasher]

Sky's the limit !!









Someone was gunna do it .

 

[Gralin]

Not enough of this in here.
Surprised there wasn't more TWD or GOT references either
Lift!

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

View attachment 587903
Not enough of this in here.
Surprised there wasn't more TWD or GOT references either
Lift!

What is TWD and GOT?

 

[moginie]

What is TWD and GOT?

The Walking Dead
Game Of Thrones

It shows how prevalent it is. I watch neither.

 

[Gralin]

What is TWD and GOT?

The two current shows with Walker's in them
The walking dead zombies
Game of Thrones the white Walker's

 

[LegendLewis]

looks a bit like a young joey kennedy

like this one