MAX Walker achieved the ultimate childhood football and cricket sporting dream.
He played in the VFL/AFL and represented Australia in Test cricket.
For anyone who has ever dreamed of playing Australian Football at the top and wearing the Baggy Green: Walker achieved it.
If you’re a Melbourne supporter and wanted to wear the red and blue and bowl to the might of the West Indies or play in an Ashes series, then Walker achieved the dream with the cherry on top.
Quite simply, he was nothing short of an outstanding sportsman.
He mightn’t have been the flashiest, but he gave his heart and soul in both sports and was admired by many for his grit and determination – and great sportsmanship.
Walker is just one of 17 players to have played a VFL/AFL game and Test Cricket. Another two have umpired at the highest level and played Test Cricket.
Furthermore, Walker is just one of four to have achieved 100 combined VFL/AFL matches and Test matches.
He played 85 matches for Melbourne from 1967-72 and then 34 Test matches for Australia from 1972-77. Walker also played 17 one day internationals for Australia from 1974-81 and was part of World Series Cricket from 1977-79.
In total, he played 135 first-class cricket matches and 41 List A matches.
His first-class career spanned from 1968-69 to 1981-82.
Born September 12, 1948 and hailing from Hobart – he was recruited to the club by legendary coach Norm Smith – Walker made his VFL debut for Melbourne against North Melbourne at the MCG in round 12, 1967.
A ruckman/defender, Walker gave his all for the Demons and was a fine mark.
Although cricket eventually won out – Walker finished 15 shy of 100 games with Melbourne – he was retained for the 1973 season in the hope that he would return.
His last game in the red and blue was against Fitzroy at the MCG in round 22, 1972.
Walker became a fine fast-medium bowler, known as ‘Tangles’, for his wrong-footed action. He made his Test debut against Pakistan at the MCG and played his last Test against England in 1977.
Walker’s last appearance for Australia was the infamous under-arm match against New Zealand in a one-day international.
He was great support for great fast-paced duo Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson, but was just as able to lead Australia’s attack, as was the case during Australia’s 1972-73 tour of the West Indies.
His best bowling figures in Test cricket were 8-143 in the sixth test of the 1974-75 Ashes series.
He took 138 test wickets and averaged 27.47 with the ball.
Walker later became a much-loved commentator and presenter on such shows as Wide World of Sports and the Sunday Footy Show, and a highly successful author.
For anyone fortunate enough to meet Walker, he had the ability to make you feel comfortable and welcome within an instant.
He was genuine and instantly likeable.
His storytelling was legendary and great to hear.
He attended Melbourne’s China trip in 2010 and was a great hit with all. He mingled easily, took a mountain of photos and was humble. It was quite awe-inspiring to see a man so famous across the country and a host of nations just enjoying his time with his football club.
Walker crossed several eras and the tributes will be far and wide, after he sadly passed away aged 68 on Wednesday after a fight with cancer.
Not a lot can say they played at the highest level in any sport.
Few can say the say they made an impact in two sports at an elite level.
Maxwell Henry Norman Walker did.
RIP Tangles.
