Recruited From: Junior Magpies
Joined or First Played for Rovers : 1985
Last Played for Rovers : 2003
Club Honors –
Joined or First Played for Rovers : 1985
Last Played for Rovers : 2003
Club Honors –
Best and Fairest – 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998,1999, 2000.
Runner-up B & F : 1996
Reserves Best and Fairest : 1985
Leading Goal kicker : 1994
Premierships : 1988, 1991, 1993, 1994
Captain – 1996 to 2001 (6 consecutive years)
Vice-captain – 1992-1995 (4 consecutive years)
Life Member
Other Honors –
Ovens and Murray League: Morris Medal : 1991, 1997, 1999.
Equal Third: Morris Medal : 1988
Did Simpson Medal – 1988, 1994
Radio 3NE Player of the Year : 1991, 1997.
Border Mail Footballer of the Year : 1991, 1993, 1997.
Ovens and Murray Representative : 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 (capt), 1996 (capt), 2001 (16 games).
Ovens and Murray All Star Team : 1991 to 2000 inclusive.
Victorian Country Representative : 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 (capt), 1995 (capt), 1996 (capt) – 9 games.
All Australian Country Representative : 1992, 1994, 1996.
Larke Medal : Best in the Australian Country Carnival : 1996
Australian Sports Medal : 2000
Career with Rovers :
One of the major contributions that Darryl Smith made to the Wangaratta Rovers Football Club, besides his 195 games and three successive premierships as captain-coach, was to recruit Robert Walker to the City Oval in 1984. Smith, the Thirds coach at the time, still takes great interest and pride in the career of the player who has etched his name in Ovens and Murray and country football folklore as a true legend of the game. There is little doubt that, had Robbie Walker been prepared to have a real crack at League football, he would have made it. He spent two seasons in 1987 and 1989 at North Melbourne Thirds and Reserves, years which were punctuated by severe bouts of homesickness. When Robbie returned for keeps in 1990, Rovers fans rejoiced. They had seen him graduate from the Hawks Thirds, win an O & M Reserves Medal in 1985 and star in the memorable Seniors Premiership of 1988. But the Walker of the 1990s was a dynamic package. He was unstoppable at center half forward, ran all day, was a strong mark, kicked long goals and was as tough as they come. He was every ones’ favorite for the Morris Medal in 1991, which he duly won; but of greater importance to him was helping the Rovers to a massive Grand-final victory over Yarrawonga. The same season also marked the first of Robbie’s nine Best and Fairest Awards for the Hawks. By the mid-nineties, he was universally regarded as the best player in country football, achieving every honor imaginable including selection in and ultimately leadership of the Victorian Country and All Australian teams. Two more premierships with the Rovers in 1993-94 and numerous media awards were icing on the cake. As the “go-to” man at center half forward, Robbie became used to being tagged and opponents constantly scragging and hanging of him. Thus he was rapt’ to be given a release and the freedom of playing on the ball. He still attracted taggers, but could use his amazing fitness and endurance to run them off the feet. A great season in 1997 saw another Morris Medal hanging around his neck and in 1999 he again shared the honor with Yarrawonga’s John Brunner to achieve the rare feat of triple medallist. In a career studded with highlights, many experts point to his performance in the 1995 Second Semi-final as one of his best. Thrust into the role of main ruckman, Robbie played his heart out to steer the underdog Hawks to a great win over Albury. However, really every match produces a host of Walker highlights. Season 2001 is Robbie’s sixth year as Rovers Captain and he remains the perfect role model to young players in both how to prepare and then perform. After 263 games, he is regarded with awe by both his own and opposition supporters and there seems no reason why this gentleman of the game cannot continue indefinitely. Of course another Morris Medal in 2001 might also help!