Brandon Walker's Stunning Summer Elevates His AFL Prospects
Fremantle Dockers defender Brandon Walker has surged into contention for a round one spot against Geelong, following a standout pre-season that has reshaped the team's defensive lineup. After a 2025 season marred by injury, Walker's speed and precise ball use were on full display during a practice match against West Coast, where he effectively opened up the game for the Dockers.
Injury Setbacks and Comeback Journey
Walker, aged 23, managed only two AFL games last year after dislocating his shoulder in round two, which required surgery. Despite returning to the WAFL for seven matches, he struggled to break back into Fremantle's backline. However, with key defenders Luke Ryan and Bailey Banfield sidelined due to shoulder surgery and a quad injury respectively, Walker has capitalized on this opportunity to showcase his skills.
Coach Justin Longmuir praised Walker's instinctive play and defensive capabilities, noting his ability to break through the first line of defence with his leg speed. "His last two weeks in the intraclubs, he was one of the better backs in both games," Longmuir said. "He demanded a spot. He's been out of the team for a while now on the back of some injuries and a stable backline last year. But he's been able to force his way into it."
Defensive Role and Team Dynamics
Throughout his career, Walker has excelled as both a lock-down defender and a rebounding player. His recent performance against the Eagles highlighted his blistering work through the centre, though Longmuir indicated a preference for him to play deeper in defence. "We've obviously got Judd and Clarky as our high defenders. Defensively, Walks is better suited to playing a little bit deeper," he explained, emphasizing the strategic advantage of having a small defender who can break lines and create space.
The arrival of Judd McVee from Melbourne has further intensified competition, resulting in Ryan and Banfield being relegated to the reserves after the AFL clash. Ryan, in particular, has faced challenges in his recovery from shoulder surgery, with limited training time and signs of needing to rebuild strength and confidence.
Selection Pressure and Pre-Season Merit
Longmuir stressed the importance of selecting teams based on merit, pointing out that other players have enjoyed stronger pre-seasons than Ryan. "There's others ahead of him at the moment," he stated. "Others have had a bigger and better pre-season than him. It's though no real fault of Luke. He's come back from a shoulder reconstruction so has only had a couple of intraclubs as a run in."
Similarly, Banfield's quad injury has pushed him back in the pecking order, underscoring the competitive environment within the team. "We've got some good competition for spots at the moment," Longmuir added. "If you haven't done a full pre-season, you've been left behind a little bit. They've got plenty of time to catch up and earn their spot though."
With 39 players training last week, Fremantle boasts significant depth, making selection decisions crucial as they prepare for the upcoming season. Walker's resurgence serves as a testament to the dynamic nature of AFL team compositions and the ongoing battle for positions on the field.
