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CARLTON'S Andrew Walker is poised to become the ninth Bendigo Pioneers draftee to play 200 AFL games.
Walker will reach the milestone against arch-rivals Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night.
The high-flying forward is also the first indigenous player to notch 200 games for the Blues.
Originally from Echuca, Walker spent two years with the Pioneers in 2002-03.
He earned selection in the TAC Cup Team of the Year in 2003, the same year he was the number two pick in the AFL national draft, one spot ahead of Pioneers teammate and former Melbourne and Fremantle midfielder Colin Sylvia.
Walker made his debut in Carlton's round five clash against West Coast in 2004.
Ironically, a then 18-year-old Walker lined up on another Echuca-boy and former Bendigo Pioneer Michael Braun.
His debut is still rated as one of the best by a teenager, with the Blues star amassing 26 disposals, nine marks, four tackles and two goal assists.
Walker joins Nick Dal Santo (314), Chris Tarrant (268), Brent Guerra (255), Michael Braun (228), Nathan Brown (219), Joel Selwood (218), Josh Hunt (212) and Dean Solomon (209) as Pioneers to play 200 games.
In 2013, he was named alongside those seven players in the Bendigo Pioneers best team of 21 years.
Walker is the 23rd indigenous footballer to play 200 games, a list that includes great of the game like dual Brownlow medallists Adam Goodes, Andrew McLeod and Gavin Wanganeen, West Coast's dual premiership midfielder Peter Matera and current-day star Lance Franklin.
Walker told the club's website he was proud of his indigenous heritage.
“It’s come a long way. It’s so good to see there’s that recognition out there now for the indigenous players in the AFL," Walker said.
"They bring a different element to the game the way they play their football.
“I’m extremely lucky I’ve been able to get my hands on the Walker family history to understand where we’ve all come from. "We can trace it back to the Cummeragunja, that’s how far back it goes. It obviously means a lot to me.”
Walker has battled back from a knee injury, which restricted him to just 12 games in 2015, to play eight games for the rejuvenated Blues this season.
His milestone game will be memorable in more ways than one, with the son of AFL Team of the Century full back and two-time Carlton premiership player Stephen Silvagni, Jack set to make his debut for the Blues.
Jack, who is the grandson of another Blues legend and 239-gamer Sergio Silvagni, was drafted by the BLues in 2015 and earned his call-up after six impressive games in the Blues reserves.
Blues coach Brendon Bolton said Walker deserved his share in the limelight.
"He's the first indigenous player at our football club to play 200 games," he said.
"Over his career he's faced adversity with his body but he's never let that impact his mindset.
"He's shown our draft class how to prepare ... he's an absolute professional."
A win would be just the second time in eight seasons Carlton have claimed two wins over the Magpies in a year.
- with AAP