Andrew Walker celebrates with his players following Echuca’s historic win over Shepparton in the GVL grand final. Photos: Aidan Briggs
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Former AFL star and triple-winning co-coach of Echuca Football Club’s senior side, Andrew Walker, is stepping down from the top job at Victoria Park.
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Just days after winning his third consecutive flag as Echuca coach Walker decided to step away from coaching and focus on family.
Walker has been coach of the senior side for seven years alongside Simon Maddox and completed a historic treble Sunday week ago with an emphatic victory over Shepparton.
With Walker’s eldest son Cody getting his first taste of senior football in 2024 and gearing up for a big 2025 with Bendigo Pioneers, his development in the lead-up to getting drafted is the priority for Walker.
Andrew Walker celebrates with his side, which secured a rare GVL senior three-peat for the first time in the club’s history.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
“Andrew’s son Cody will be full-time for Pioneers next season as he continues on his journey to getting drafted into the AFL,” Echuca Football Club president Justin Hatfield said.
“I think there was a fair bit of travel for the Walkers this year with Cody and his football, and next year, that’ll be more, so I think he wants to focus on his family.
“He’s putting family first and he’ll still be around the club, but he wants to dedicate his time to Cody and Arli when it’s his turn.”
Despite relinquishing his coaching duties at Echuca, Hatfield said Walker would still be around the club and that it would continue to follow the standard he had set for players and coaches.
Andrew Walker’s son Cody is a promising AFL prospect who was named in Echuca’s under-18s best-on-ground for their grand final victory against Shepparton Swans.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
“Andrew has definitely left a lasting legacy, not only from a success of the club point of view, but what he has instilled in the players and club overall has been incredible, and we are all very thankful,” he said.
“His attitude towards the game and club culture is something we will look to maintain, and we are hoping to see him reasonably frequently around the place.”
In Walker’s absence, Echuca has appointed Leo Tenace and senior player Cameron Valentine to join Maddox as part of the coaching group for 2025.
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