Walker excited about donning Steamers polo again
Murray Steamers local hero Michael Walker is bursting with excitement at the prospect of putting on his franchise polo in the upcoming BPL12 at his home green of the Moama Bowls Club.
Walker has been a part of both of the Steamers’ championship wins in APL02 and last year in BPL11, and that he will never forget the euphoria of playing and winning in front of his home crowd.
“The BPL is obviously is the pinnacle of what I’ve achieved in lawn bowls but it’s just fantastic to play with these guys who represent their countries or states,” Walker said.
“There’s lots of nervousness because you don’t want to let the guys down, or yourself down. The crowd support was second to none and my brother had his bucks party there.
“But the support of the local bowlers is great and it’s good to see familiar faces when you’re out there and the camera is in your face and you’re trying to get a close bowl.”
Working in Echuca as a car salesman, Walker has been making the trek over the New South Wales border to test out the rinks at the picturesque Moama Bowls Club.
He reveals that the town is excited at the prospect of the BPL returning and asking constant questions about the line-up, despite the trepidation surrounding the disastrous pandemic that has ravaged the globe.
“Everyone’s up and about. I’ve been getting down there and trying each rink out because each one is different,” he said.
“The guys are out there asking questions about who’s in and who’s out. We’re lucky to have inclusions this year in Katelyn Inch and our coach Kevin Anderson.”
The two-time champion fondly remembers his epic drive in the tiebreak of last year’s final against the Melbourne Roys, which launched the jack into the ditch with his bowl not far away.
Despite Matt Flapper’s efforts to get close, Jo Edwards clattered the former Jackaroo’s roll away with a spectacular delivery, with the post win celebrations fitting for the epic.
“I just wanted to go somewhere close, I was just very lucky I reckon in nailing it but the shot was there,” he said.
“It was the best feeling I’ve ever had to be honest, my heart was beating out of my chest,
“The local club gave us a few responsible beverages and the party went long into the night as you would expect.”
BPL12 runs from February 23-26, with Rinkside Live live-streaming available on Facebook and broadcast action nightly from 5-10pm AEDT on Fox Sports and Kayo.
