As a champion fights illness, his inspiring story is honoured

The Wangaratta Rovers champion had played his 300th match during the season, but his influence on games was still of the highest order.

In a round 17 game at the Hawks’ home-ground, W.J. Findlay Oval, Wangaratta Rovers trailed by 12 points at three quarter time against eventual premiers Corowa-Rutherglen, coached by Walker’s former team-mate, Peter Tossol.

The match finished in a draw, but not before Walker almost single-handedly dragged the Hawks across the line with an individual final term to savour.

The defining moment of the quarter to remember was when he won the ball from the centre-bounce and without another player touching the leather, Walker barged out of the square and from outside 50m kicked truly to put the Hawks back in front.

Walker went on to win his fifth Morris Medal in 2003 when he romped home by four votes from Wodonga’s Ben Hollands.

Incredibly, Walker has not played another game since and closure on one of the greatest O and M careers will come three years later when the Hawks honour their favourite son tomorrow night.

Walker initially refused to rule out the possibility of returning from a mystery degenerative condition which has afflicted his neck, spinal cord and lower back.

He is now resigned to the inevitable, he has played his last game, but far greater challenges lie ahead for 38-year-old Walker in arresting his general health.

“It’s been a bloody nightmare,” Walker said.

“At the end of 2003 I just thought I had a crook neck.

“I thought at worse, I would have a year off and then come back.

“But, it progressed six to eight months later where I started to have problems with my lower back, the whole spinal cord and then the extremities.

“I saw an orthopedic surgeon who sent me to a neurosurgeon who sent me to a neurologist.

“Basically I had to have an arthroscope on my back.

“You wouldn’t do that until you’ve tried everything you can for 18 months which I did.”

Walker is under constant medication and spent time in a hyperbaric chamber during last school holidays in a bid to relieve the on-going pain.

In a cruel irony, Walker played the majority of his career, which has also been highlighted with four premierships for the Hawks and a remarkable 12 club best and fairest wins, without a serious injury.

Walker is also a humble champion and admits being embarrassed by the attention he will draw tomorrow night.

“Rob was just a great player, the best country player I have seen and Trent Hotton is not far behind,” Tossol said.

“No matter who you played, you always felt you were a chance when he ran out bedside you.

“There were times in games when you were being challenged and you would just look at his eyes as you would run back to the centre and you knew he was about to do something.

“He didn’t need to say anything.

“It would embarrass you that as a centre half-forward, Rob would regularly top the possession list.

“As an opponent to coach against, he was a nightmare, you virtually conceded.

“It was no fluke he was a good player because he trained bloody hard.

“Training wasn’t just training.

“It was a fair dinkum contest to see who could work harder than the next bloke.

“He was hard to beat and Laurie (Burt) would often match us against a regular opponent at training and Rob’s opponent was his good mate Craig Fruend.

“It was great to watch as they didn’t hold back.”

Walker will qualify for induction into the O and M Hall Of Fame next year and there is every chance he will be afforded legendary status alongside long-time administrator Cleaver Bunton.

But, right now Walker will happily trade every footballing honour afforded him to regain a quality of life he once enjoyed.