By David Nagel
As one exciting left-footer begins a career of high-promise, a superstar of south east football will celebrate a significant milestone on Saturday. The careers of youngster James Trezise and veteran Luke Walker have intersected perfectly – as DAVID NAGEL reports…
The second quarter of the 2007 Casey Cardinia Football League grand final had it all.
Narre Warren, the reigning premiers, had a 12-point lead at quarter time but were about to be beset upon by one of the great grand final bursts of all time.
Pakenham went on the tear, kicking eight goals in an electrifying first 16 minutes of the second stanza.
And driving the exuberance and the flair at Edwin Flack Reserve that day was a young left-footer named Luke Walker on the wing.
‘Tex’ was everywhere that day, emerging from a promising young talent to a player with real impact on the biggest day of the season.
After the Lions took the lead with three goals in five minutes, Walker put his own mark on the contest.
From two consecutive centre clearances, he dobbed long goals on the run, pumping his left fist as the Lions raced out to a 38-point lead.
He was simply unstoppable, with his combination of pace and skill leaving the Magpies dazzled in his wake.
He kicked another in the third, to repel the Magpies comeback, and kicked the Lions last goal of the contest…as Narre stormed home for back-to-back victories.
Walker was brilliant, kicking four goals and being named Pakenham’s best player…but he would have to wait two years before the Lions finally got their glory against Doveton.
As history would have it, celebrating in black and white colours in 2007 was a gun-midfielder named Shane Brewster…who will jog out alongside Walker as he celebrates the 350th game of his glittering career against Nar Nar Goon at Western Park on Saturday.
It’s funny how things work out isn’t it!
Brewster played his 350th in round one last year, and now – almost 16 years after the two locked horns at Berwick – he will stand applauding as Walker reaches the same mark.
Congratulations Luke ‘Tex’ Walker, because as the CV at the end of this story attests…it’s been one hell of a career!
As for James Trezise, the AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft will be held on Wednesday 31 May and there are strong indications that the Tooradin-Dalmore 2022 premiership player could find an AFL home.
A recent rule change, relaxing eligibility criteria, has seen the exciting left-footer rise to prominence over the last week.
The eligibility criteria has been amended to allow players from WAFL, SANFL, TSL or VFL – who have played a minimum of three matches during the 2023 season by the close of nominations on Wednesday 24 May – to be eligible to nominate.
Until the rule change, Trezise was ineligible for the draft.
And the news just keeps getting better for Trezise, who has raised eyebrows with his impressive form for Richmond in the VFL this year.
Trezise is on an exclusive list of 11 Rookie Draft prospects that will undergo medical testing from the AFL ahead of the draft, in a strong indicator of the players that are on the radar of AFL clubs.
The AFL informed clubs on Thursday that the 11 players had received multiple draft nominations and would now complete medical screenings and psychometric testing.
Five AFL clubs started the season with selections available for the mid-season draft – Essendon, Fremantle, Geelong, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs.
But Port Adelaide, West Coast, Greater Western Sydney, Sydney, and most interestingly Richmond, now have spots available due to retirements or long-term injuries.
The retirement of Jason Castagna has opened the door for the Tigers to have a pick.
Trezise is an excitement machine who had a huge impact in helping Tooradin-Dalmore break a 25-year premiership drought last year.
He played predominantly as a high half-forward, often running deep into defence and torching his opposition on the way back with his elite speed and endurance.
He also possesses an exciting leap and loves kicking a long goal, booting 26 for the Seagulls last year.
He has impressed with his versatility at Richmond, even playing as a second ruck and impressing across half back.
But no matter what happens next Wednesday night…being mentioned in the same breath as Luke Walker – well that’s something to be proud of.
Well done Tex and thanks for the memories!
LUKE WALKER CV
Games: 349
Pakenham 164
Kooweerup 130
Warragul Industrials 25
Fairpark 11
Collingwood 10
Victoria 7
VCFL 2
ACCOLADES
1 Premiership
4 League MVPs
1 League Best and Fairest
2 Club Best and Fairest
5 Runner Up Club Best and Fairest
12 Team of the Year selections
4 Victorian Representations
1 All Australian
VFL Football Collingwood
