Sports Max

Background

Max was one of a select group of sportsmen who played both Senior VFL/AFL Football and Test Cricket. He played 94 senior games with the Melbourne Football Club and 13 years of first class cricket with Victoria and Australia.

In the words of Christopher Martin-Jenkins, BBC and ABC cricket commentator and author.

“A cheerful Tasmanian, Max Walker moved to the mainland to further his cricket and Australian Rules Football careers and broke through as Victoria’s main strike bowler in 1972/3, the year which also saw his emergence as a Test-class bowler.”

Six foot four, pigeon-chested and thoroughly revelling in the hard work of bowling, he bowled right arm ‘off the wrong foot’ at fast-medium pace, usually swinging the ball into the bat with an open-chested delivery but also getting the ball to cut sharply away from the batsman in the manner of Alec Bedser.

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Cricket

Max Played Test Cricket in a golden era under the captaincy of Ian and Greg Chappell. Much has been written about this period and many suggest the team is second only to Sir Donald Bradman’s 1948 ‘invincibles’. History may well judge Steve Waugh’s combination as better.

Max proudly pulled on the baggy green cap for Australia through 34 Test matches.

Alongside fast bowling legends Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee, Max “Tangles” Walker took 138 wickets at an average of 27.47 and in the field supported his team with 12 catches.

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Football

Max started his football career in Melbourne Under 19’s as a tall and lanky player with a lot of heart… and good hands.

Signed as a schoolboy prodigy from The Friends School in 1966 by secretary Jim Cardwell and coach Norm Smith. Big things were expected of the gangly youngster from Hobart, Tasmania.

Max virtually went from schoolboy football into the Melbourne Football Club first 18 and proceeded to play 94 senior games in 6 years with The Demons.

In 1967 he won the Melbourne Football Club best first year player ahead of Gary Hardeman and Greg Wells. Both went on to become great players for the club But football strangely was soon to take second place in the sporting priorities of the 6′ 3 7/8″ (1.91cm) ruckman. Cricket stole his heart, talent and time.

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Television

Within a week of retiring from the lush green grass of cricket grounds around the world Max was literally thrown in to the deep end of media sport. It didn’t take the big fella very long to feel comfortable at the microphone and talking passionately about a sport in which he excelled. The people at Channel 9 recognised his powers of communication and knowledge of sport by quickly seeking out his talents.

Commentating on television is about:

EDUCATION, ENTHUSIASUM and EMOTION … the three E’s.

Max’s natural laid back story telling style made him a success from day one. In short, the camera liked him and in turn so did viewers.

Yes, it was a progressive decision to head hunt the affable medium fast bowler. The relationship with the 9 network spanned a mutually beneficial and extremely successful 16 years.

Taken from ‘The Best Of Mr Walker’ by Max Walker

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Gallery of Sports Images

The best sporting records are those of action frozen in the moment. Amazing feats of skill and sportsmanship that can be relived time and time again.

Photographs in this gallery secure some outstanding memories and lock them in a special time and place in Australian sporting history. They hold the key to many stories.

There are looks of endeavour, shouts of triumph and smiles of camaraderie and mischief. The link of continuity? That famous Max Walker grin.

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