Pick no.14 - Heath Chapman
Pick no.27 - Nathan O'Driscoll
Pick no.50 - Brandon Walker
Pick no.54 - Joel Western
Rookie pick no.7 - Josh Treacy
Fremantle draftee Brandon Walker was delighted to be one of four WA players taken by Fremantle in the 2020 NAB AFL National Draft and couldn’t wait to link up with former state teammates at training at their new AFL club.
The defender was taken by Fremantle at no.50 on the night and is particularly close to Joel Western, who he has trained with during the past three years as a part of Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy.
Fremantle also drafted defender Heath Chapman at no.14 and midfielder Nathan O’Driscoll at no.27.
“It’s amazing and I’m really stoked and can’t wait to head into the club and start working hard,” Walker said.
“It’s great Joel was drafted and the other WA boys as well. It’s awesome. Joel and I are pretty close, he’s basically like another brother. It’s so good to get drafted with him and I’m keen to go on that journey with him.
“I’ve played with ‘Chappy’ (Chapman) a few times and against him so I’m glad he’s on our team. I’ve played with Nathan who’s also a really good player. It’s great to have them all on the same team and have a bunch of boys from WA.”
Walker said being a part of Fremantle’s NGA, and working with former NGA coach Tendai Mzungu has helped him feel ready to join an AFL list.
Mzungu will continue closely with Walker as Fremantle’s development coach with Roger Hayden taking over as NGA coach.
“Tendai has been a big part of my development,” Walker said.
“The NGA’s been great, not just with my on-field performance but off-field with goal setting and nutrition.
“It’s about all the little things that helps make you a better player that you don’t really see. That’s helped a lot.”
While Walker is a defender, he said he most looked up to Michael Walters on Fremantle’s list and said he was looking forward to seeking advice from the Freo star.
“From training with Freo before, I like how Michael Walters works are and gets his head down,” Walker said.
“He’s also very approachable and it will be good to talk to him as he gives really good advice.”
