With Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee, Max Walker formed a thrilling triple strike force of fast bowlers that proved too hot to handle for opposition batsmen. Although Walker was mostly resigned to playing the role of the support cast, he was more than capable of spearheading the attack, as he showed whenever Lillee and Thomson were injured. An aggressive fast bowler with a slightly wrong-footed finish to the bowling crease, the Tasmanian-born pacer shifted base to Melbourne for his adolescence and consequently, his professional career. It was initially for pursuing football that he made this move but as fate would have it, cricket won him over.

Joining the Melbourne Cricket Club is what kick-started Walker's cricketing fortunes. Initially a batsman, he got chosen to open the bowling in one of the club games and that's where his true potential was there for all to see. His unusual bowling action fetched him the nickname 'Tangles' and a First-class debut happened soon in 1969. It was the last game of the season and he did put in a noteworthy performance in the match. However, the rich fast bowling stocks at Victoria meant that Walker had to wait for his chances in the next season as well. However, a talent such as his wasn't to be denied for long and he became a regular from the 1971-72 season onwards.

Soon Walker landed a Test debut in the home series against Pakistan in 1972. He took to international cricket seamlessly and his debut series was proof of that. He finished the series in style with a sensational six-wicket haul that ripped through the Pakistan batting line-up. He followed it up with another six-fer in the opening Test of the West Indies tour. With Lillee and Thomson in top gear, it was difficult for Walker to be the main man but he didn't mind playing second fiddle to the duo. In his own right, he was an efficient fast bowler who could on his day, win a game singlehandedly for the team. Like other prominent Aussies, Walker also joined the World Series and after coming back from it, rejoined with the national team.

A tendon recurring injury put a premature end to his international career. After retirement, Walker was an architect for over ten years while also being a television and radio celebrity. He also became an able author. After a long struggle with myeloma, he passed away in 2016.