Andrew Walker: Deck of Dream Team 2011

Name: Andrew Walker
Club: Carlton
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Bye Rounds: 8 & 23
2010 Average: 77.7
2010 Games Played: 15
Predicted Average: 90

Why should I pick him?If there was ever a year, or group of circumstances to prompt a long overdue “breakout” year, this is the one for Andrew Walker. He is considered one of the fittest athletes in the AFL and is currently completing his first 100% healthy pre season. Due to a couple injury plagued years, Walker has been finding his feet from Carlton’s half back line, a role that hasn’t been kind to him, or his DT scores. Amid trade controversy, he and Brett Ratten have spoken in the off season and agreed on a new role in the midfield, and resting forward which could change his average by up to 20 points per game. Due to his elite stamina, he is also unlikely to be subbed off.

Why shouldn’t I pick him? After scoring 111 in his debut match against West Coast in 2004, Walker has struggled for any consistency apart from being consistently frustrating from a Carlton supporters perspective. Lack of form and injuries have meant that Walker has only played one full season out of a possible seven, which rings alarm bells.

Deck of DT Rating. Queen. Walker is the definition of a Queen in the DT sense. Not that he is as good looking, or looks like a girl, but he is the type of player that will come at a cost, but has huge potential upside. On the other hand, he could easily just flop like his previous years and spend half the year injured. At this stage, I like this risk if he is named a back.