MELBOURNE

Archie Walsh

■ Son of Melbourne and Port Adelaide defender Peter Walsh

■ 180cm midfielder/half-back

■ SANFL team: West Adelaide

■ 2025 statistics: Five under-18s games (25.4 disposals, 7.2 marks, 3.6 tackles, 5.4 inside 50s, 97.6 ranking points)

■ West Adelaide under-18 coach Russell Godson says: “He spent a week with the Demons in February, which he really enjoyed. He’s an unbelievably hard worker with very good endurance who wins our 2km time trial. He can win contests. He’s historically played as a midfielder but for his development we’ve put him as a high defender this season. Similarly to his dad, he rarely gets beaten in a contest, is excellent one-on-one and is very consistent.”

■ Recruiter says: “He’s a hard-at-it, dependable midfielder.”

West Adelaide duo Lukas Eagleton and Archie Walsh only qualify at the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne respectively despite their dads’ history with the Power.

Eagleton’s dad, Nathan, played 56 games for Port and 221 for the Dogs, while Walsh’s father, Peter, recorded 35 matches for the Power and 104 for the Demons.

One to keep an eye on it seems.

As in said in the previous thread. He hasn't been picked for the SA under 18's squad which is usually a good gauge on there they are at from a development perspective.

His form seems okay but don't know whether it'll be enough for him to get drafted.

So that's that pre-season mystery solved 🕵️

Wow. Peter Walsh was one of the bravest and most courageous players for the Dees. One of the best rookie picks we’ve seen. He was part of our successful teams in the early 2000s. If young Archie has his Dad’s spirit and determination, Dees would have to keep monitoring him.

He didn’t look out of place training with the group in Feb. Ok height and frame, seemed to cover the ground well.

Probably fits in the Woey, Kynan Brown level that if he performs consistently and can show a bit of something we’ll give him a good look for a late or rookie pick.

We have not much in the way of picks this year.

We have Sinnema as Academy who looks like a certain pick up for us.

Kalani White we will almost certainly get as a Tall FS.

Archie Walsh may well be regarded as a late developer like his dad and he may get him as a late or rookie FS.

Has obvious endurance which is a must at AFL. Not sure about pace but he is likely wmquick like his dad.

We are building ATM so I suspect we may well pick those 3.

3 hours ago, manny100 said:

We have not much in the way of picks this year.

We have Sinnema as Academy who looks like a certain pick up for us.

Kalani White we will almost certainly get as a Tall FS.

Archie Walsh may well be regarded as a late developer like his dad and he may get him as a late or rookie FS.

Has obvious endurance which is a must at AFL. Not sure about pace but he is likely wmquick like his dad.

We are building ATM so I suspect we may well pick those 3.

Sinnema, White and Walsh.

Jason Taylor must be investing all his effort looking at the 2026 draft already, just to look busy.

"Why yes, this year I really would like four picks in the early second round, thank you."

3 hours ago, manny100 said:

Kalani White we will almost certainly get as a Tall FS.

Confirmed, or just a supporter's guess?

Ah Whopper! That takes us back, super hard at the ball and hardnosed back flanker. Craig Cameron really could find gems at rookie draft level.

Remember that checkside he kicked at the G in that famous 2000 QF against Carlton from the Warne stand pocket? Seemed mathematically impossible.

Memories aside, the fact that we're hearing about him now makes me think this is a long shot but his dad was a latecomer to the game and he's got more avenues to be drafted than Peter did. Keen to see how he goes.

We can get all the W's back together again.

White, Woewodin, Walsh.

Now we just need to find a Wheelan, Ward and Wheately.

On 28/04/2025 at 11:03, spirit of norm smith said:

Wow. Peter Walsh was one of the bravest and most courageous players for the Dees. One of the best rookie picks we’ve seen. He was part of our successful teams in the early 2000s. If young Archie has his Dad’s spirit and determination, Dees would have to keep monitoring him

On 30/04/2025 at 20:09, BAMF said:

We can get all the W's back together again.

White, Woewodin, Walsh.

Now we just need to find a Wheelan, Ward and Wheately.

Might be walsh or woewodin next year Taj just doesnt have enough to differentiate himself to make the step up to afl. what are hi strengths what does he bring to the side that soneone else doesnt. until he works out what this is there isnt a spot for him. will be up against it at EOS i suspect

Time to keep a closer eye on Archie.

Made his reserves debut yesterday for West Adelaide and had 26 disposals and 11 marks.

This is off the back of two straight week of 36 disposal game against Norwood and backed it up with a 38 disposal game a week later.

On 28/04/2025 at 16:24, Little Goffy said:

Jason Taylor must be investing all his effort looking at the 2026 draft already, just to look busy.

Jason Taylor is not contracted for 2026 yet 😬 OOC right now

28 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Time to keep a closer eye on Archie.

Made his reserves debut yesterday for West Adelaide and had 26 disposals and 11 marks.

This is off the back of two straight week of 36 disposal game against Norwood and backed it up with a 38 disposal game a week later.

Is he at draft age this year?

3 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

Is he at draft age this year?

Yes

16 minutes ago, Greg Schneider said:

Jason Taylor is not contracted for 2026 yet 😬 OOC right now

Can we trade JT for a guy that can identify forward talent?

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Yes

Can he kick?

4 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Can he kick?

He’s getting plenty of game time practice.😁👍

Gee there aren't many players more underrated than Walsh in my 40 years of watching Melbourne. If he was playing you were much more likely to win.

15 minutes ago, Wrecker45 said:

Gee there aren't many players more underrated than Walsh in my 40 years of watching Melbourne. If he was playing you were much more likely to win.

I believe that Peter Walsh was one of those players that we all loved but also took his work rate and courage for granted as we were to focussed on the stars that were playing with him at the time.

Walsh was not exactly quick either but his side step and evasive skills well compensated for that

7 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Time to keep a closer eye on Archie.

Made his reserves debut yesterday for West Adelaide and had 26 disposals and 11 marks.

This is off the back of two straight week of 36 disposal game against Norwood and backed it up with a 38 disposal game a week later.

Hey DD, where are you thinking he fits in the draft order?

Peter Walsh and Nathan Brown - good solid workhorses who, if you looked closely enough, had really good footy brains, ran all day, and had good evasive games, while neither being quick.

I reckon this a "watch very closely" because the numbers suggest Archie's form is growing and he is getting nearer to being draftable. I would love to see him at the Dees.

Is he a red head like his old man?

If so we'd be loading up our backline with a couple of them when you include Bowser.