Pakenham forward Luke Walker has grown in stature as the season has gone on and is the fifth nomination for the ‘2005 Gazette Young Gun’ award.PAKENHAM teenager Luke Walker is the fifth nominee for the ‘2005 Gazette Young Gun’ award in the CaseyCardinia League.
In his first season of senior football, Walker, 19, has developed into a dangerous and creative player in attack for the Lions and improved to be a valuable senior player as the year has progressed.
He has played some outstanding games for the Lions including an eightgoal haul against Keysborough in round 11.
A strong mark and accurate kick for goal, Walker developed his football through the Pakenham juniors and spent three years on the Gippsland Power list before returning to play senior football with the Lions this year.
He started in the Lions’ under 11s and played through to under16s, but was recognised as a talent by the TAC Cup recruiters at an early age.
Walker cited his under11 coach Grant Williams and under14 coach Graeme Wheeler, together with his parents as the main influences on his football to date.
“They helped me through a lot of my football and gave me a guide. They were great and mum and dad have been really supportive too,” he said.
Walker said he had been asked to play with other clubs, but just wanted to play with his mates, including fellow young gun nominee Karl Russo at Pakenham, and had enjoyed his first season at senior level.
“It’s been really good. I’ve had my ups and downs and had a few quiet games, but that’s just adapting to senior football I suppose,” he said.
“Now we’ve made the finals and that’s exciting and I’m just hoping to have a bit of an impact.”
Asked about pursuing his football at a higher level, Luke said he was more interested in improving his game with Pakenham and would let the future look after itself.
“It’s hard to say. The main thing I want to get into my game is consistency. Playing well one week and not so well the next, isn’t good enough,” he said.
“You tend to get away with that a bit more as a young guy, but that’s not the way it should be and that’s my priority at the moment.”
