Taylor Walker will miss at least one match after undergoing eye surgery and, with only two games remaining, may not play again in 2024.
The 34-year-old was subbed out in the third quarter of the Crows' win over the Western Bulldogs after accidentally being poked in the eye by Dogs ruckman Tim English.
Charlie Curnow claims the Coleman Medal for a second consecutive year, finishing with 78 goals for the 2023 season ahead of Taylor Walker on 76 and Nick Larkey on 71.
Taylor Walker signs a one-year extension to play on for the Crows in 2024.
"I have loved the journey so far and this year getting back to playing some really exciting footy as a team," Walker said in a club statement.
"On a personal level I'm pleased to be able to contribute to the team and I take a lot of pride and satisfaction in helping our younger players who are starting out their own careers."
Taylor Walker kicks a career-best ten goals in his 250th game against West Coast at Adelaide Oval, becoming just the fourth Crow to boot ten goals or more in a game.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks lauds Taylor Walker ahead of the veteran forward's 250th match.
"There was a period there ... where people thought he was slowing down - and he proved them wrong. So I have been lucky enough to watch some of his best footy," Nicks said.
"He's really important to our group both on and off the field, he's a leader ... the guys follow him."
Taylor Walker insists he enjoyed the Crows' notorious 2018 camp, despite a string of players revealing harrowing experiences from the Gold Coast training trip.
But Walker, who was captain at the time, admits it was difficult to hear former teammates including Eddie Betts and Josh Jenkins share they were still feeling negative effects from the experience.
"I took a positive experience out of it, but that does not take away from the feelings of hurt that those boys are going through at the moment," Walker said.
"I knew something was not right post the camp, I knew blokes weren't feeling that great about it. There were fractures within the group.
"I was having some confidential meetings at my house to try and work out exactly the path to take and I can honestly say that I did everything I could to try and fix it."
Taylor Walker will play on in 2023 after signing a new deal with the Adelaide Crows.
"This means a lot to me that I am going to be a Crow for life. As one of the older blokes going around I am also very proud that I can still contribute both on and off the field," Walker said in a statement.
Taylor Walker wants to continue his AFL career in 2023, but the Crows are yet to table a contract offer.
"I am out of contract and I want to play on next year. So that is something that Dogga (his manager Michael Doughty) can sort out, I am just worried about trying to get a kick at the moment," Walker said.
Wayne Milera says it took time to again be comfortable around Taylor Walker following the key forward's racism ban.
Walker was suspended by the AFL for six games last August for making a racist comment when he was a spectator at a state league game.
"You take a long time to build a relationship and when something like that happens, it damages that relationship, so it's not going to be fixed all of a sudden," Milera said.
"He's done his apology and said sorry to us and said sorry to the club. It's just about him now acting on what actions he is going to do going forward and we have seen that.
"I am comfortable with him at the club. I can't tell you how long exactly it took but it definitely took some time to be comfortable."
Trent Cotchin is fined $2,000 for kicking Taylor Walker in the third quarter of the Crows' win over the Tigers at Adelaide Oval, prompting an angry Walker to suggest that the fine was an inadequate penalty.
"Especially when it's deliberate. I tell you what, if the shoe was on the other foot I would have been missing the next month," Walker told Triple M radio.
Taylor Walker will make his return to AFL football this week after serving a six-match ban for a racist comment directed at North Adelaide's Robbie Young for which he has apologised.
"There's been a number of (examples) him giving back, looking to educate himself, looking to educate others," Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said of Walker's efforts to make amends for his actions.
"I don’t want to go through every single thing that Tex has done, but what I do know is Tex has done the work."
Taylor Walker says he felt welcomed back by teammates when he returned to training following his suspension for a racist comment at a SANFL game.
"I was quite nervous and anxious really ... bit of the unknown but the boys were quite welcoming when I got back. To get back and kicking the footy around is what I love doing so it's been awesome to be back around the footy club," he said.
Walker last October travelled to Port Augusta, about 320km north of Adelaide, with some Indigenous teammates and club staffers as part of his pledge to learn more about Indigenous issues.
"Once again, I was quite nervous going out there but they were very supportive, lovely community up there in Port Augusta. I learned so much and it was great to be able to go up there with young (Indigenous teammate) Tariek Newchurch, that's his community."
Taylor Walker returns to training for the first time since his suspension for making a racist comment.
"He was received really well by the group. It was a difficult time for the club," Crows teammate Ben Keays said.
"It was just one of those things that we had to ride out and we threw out support behind Taylor and behind all the boys at the club, so I'm really glad that he's back and it's business as usual."
Adelaide list manager Justin Reid says Taylor Walker will remain at the club in 2022 in the wake of the racism scandal that resulted in him being suspended for six matches.
"It certainly wasn't the greatest ending (to the season) and is something we need to work through as a club," Reid told AFL Trade Radio.
"We'll continue to support not just Tex (Walker) but the whole playing group and the wider community, and I know that's something Tex is really focused in on."
Taylor Walker fronts the media for the first time since being exposed for making a racist comment at a SANFL game.
"To me at the moment, playing is not my priority - it's repairing relationships with the people that I have hurt is my main priority," Walker told reporters.
"I'm not here to talk about myself and my future. It's about what I do from here. I have got some work to do. I put my hand up and I own this and I'm going to go to work and do the best I can."
Adelaide chief executive Tim Silvers says the club cannot guarantee that Taylor Walker, recently reported as having made a racial slur to SANFL player Robbie Young, will remain at the club in 2022 despite being contracted.
"He is contracted for next year, but we need to understand how that looks, how he can reintegrate back into the group for next year," Silvers said.
"It's too early to guarantee that (he plays for the club again) but he is contracted, and we've got to work through (that with) a number of different people. Culture of our footy club is first and foremost and we need to get that right and then look at reintegrating Taylor back into the club when the time is right."
Taylor Walker issues a public apology to North Adelaide player Robbie Young for his racist comment at a SANFL game. In a video released by the Crows, Walker is seen sitting alongside Young and choked up several times while delivering the apology.
"Thank you for accepting my apology, you've shown huge courage and support for me," Walker says to Young in the video.
"I want to apologise to you and your family, to the Adelaide official and his family (and) to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their communities for the pain, hurt and disappointment that I've caused. What I said was racism and it's totally unacceptable. I've lost trust and respect from everyone and I know that, and I've got work to do."
Taylor Walker will not play again in 2021 and will miss the start of the 2022 season after reportedly using a racial slur directed at North Adelaide player Robbie Young.
Walker has been slapped with a six-match ban and a $20,000 sanction that will be donated to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program in South Australia.
A conciliation was held between Walker, Young, the Adelaide official, and the AFL where a remorseful Walker apologised to Young and the official.
"There is no excuse or justification for the words I said. They are unacceptable and I take full accountability for that," Walker said.
"I am deeply ashamed. I did not intend to cause harm, but I know and understand that I have caused deep hurt to the official who reported the matter and to Robbie Young, to both of their families and to the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. I apologise to all of them and to the Adelaide and North Adelaide Football Clubs."
Taylor Walker re-signs with Adelaide to play on for a 15th season in 2021.
"This club has given me more than I could have ever dreamt of and to be able to play on for another season means the world to me," Walker said.
"This playing group is a unique group and I come to the club every day wanting to get better personally and wanting to give my experience to the young kids, especially the young forwards."
Taylor Walker will be rested from the Crows' game against West Coast this week.
"He wants to play ... by no means is it about performance at the moment that we're managing him, this is pre-planned," Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said.
Currently sitting on top of the Coleman Medal leaderboard with 27 goals, out-of-contract Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker says he's keen to play on again in 2022.
2021 loomed as a potential farewell for Walker after his battles with form in 2020, when he managed just 15 goals from 14 games for the Crows heading into the final season of his long-term contract.
"My body's healthy, I'm physically fit, I'm mentally in a great space so I think all of those things play a role but I haven't done anything drastically different. People keep asking but it's just all of those things that have fallen into line and allowed me to play good footy," he said.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks says he wants Taylor Walker to see out his contract with the club and play into season 2021.
Walker, who is set to play his 200th game in Sunday's clash with Geelong, threw his future with the Crows into doubt earlier this week when he said he would seek clarity over his role this summer.
Contracted for next season, the 30-year-old's influence in the Adelaide forward line has waned this season. He has kicked just 11 goals from 10 matches, while he is averaging career-lows for disposals and marks.
"He's an incredibly valuable member of our team and he will be next year. It will be an interesting season for him because he wants to leave a legacy at this club, and he will, but it's how he goes about that into next year," Nicks said.
"He's got some amazing young players coming through underneath him, but he's an incredible role model. He'll be a very important part of next year."
Brodie Smith defends Crows teammate Taylor Walker who has come under the microscope due to a lack of form on the field following Adelaide's fifth straight loss to start the 2020 season.
Walker, who is set to miss 1-2 weeks with a knee injury, was held goalless for the second time this season while winning only six possessions.
"Our fundamentals going forward have been really poor. As a key forward, if we're not kicking the footy to the space he creates or where he wants it, then how is he going to do his job? It falls back on us to deliver the footy to him," Smith explained.
Taylor Walker says the suspension of the 2020 AFL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic has forced him to consider his future.
"I'd be lying if I sat here right now and said I haven't stressed about when my career will finish, will we play at the end of the year and things like that," Walker told Channel Seven.
"They're all things that when you've got time on your side you sit down and think about. Potentially, it puts some stress onto people that it's not only financial stress but your wellbeing, your family and things like that."
In a candid interview, Taylor Walker says he pondered his playing future after the 2019 season.
"Your mind starts to think: is this the best place for me, how long have I got left in my career, do I step aside, do I stay on?" Walker said to Damian Barrett of AFL.com.au.
Taylor Walker expresses regret over being overly critical of former teammate Jake Lever's decision to leave the Crows for a bigger contract with the Demons in 2017.
"I've certainly been caught out in the industry wearing my heart on my sleeve probably too much. I was vocal about it, because I'm passionate, I'm loyal, I want people to stay at my footy club. It wasn't a personal attack at Jake, it was more about how much I loved him and wanted him to stay," Walker said.
With teammate and close friend Brad Crouch a free agent at the end of the 2020 season, Walker says he has learnt from the Lever period.
"Brad is one of my best mates, he knows how I feel, but in saying that, I've learnt - it is up to Brad," Walker said. "I'm not going to tell him what to do. It is up to Brad to decide where he thinks it is best for his future.
"Everything is on the table for him. The footy club is there to support him. If he stays, I'd love that. If he doesn't stay, that's up to him. I won't give him a send-off. I've learnt."
Rory Sloane will be Adelaide's sole captain in 2020, after sharing co-captain duties in 2019 with Taylor Walker who has stepped down as a leader in 2020.
Sloane will be supported by Matt Crouch, Tom Lynch as well as new faces in Brodie Smith and Tom Doedee.
"Rory typifies the qualities and attributes that every club wants in its leaders and he was a standout choice as captain, and I am confident we have the right mix of players assisting him," Crows coach Matthew Nicks said.
"They have a positive influence on others and genuinely care for their teammates, as well as coaches and staff across the organisation, and set elite standards in the way they prepare and carry themselves both on and off the field."
Adelaide board member Mark Ricciuto says everyone at the club, from the top down, is under the microscope after a disappointing 2019 season.
"You have to make sure you have the right footy department," Ricciuto told Triple M radio.
"If anyone has got to go, whether it's me, Pykey (coach Don Pyke) or Brett Burton or the captain (Taylor Walker), the club is more important than the individual.
"The club will do an internal review as we always do, and they'll do an external review with people who have got nothing to do with the football club and then get the information from both and make a decision from there.
"Everyone wants the right thing for the Adelaide Football Club and I'm certainly not going to stand in the way. If I'm the problem I'll be gone, and I'm sure if Pykey knew (that), he'd be gone as well."
Rory Sloane is backing fellow Crows co-captain Taylor Walker to find form this week against Carlton.
Walker has come under the pump for his recent quiet performances having kicked just six goals in the past four weeks, with three of those coming against lowly Gold Coast in round 17.
"He's one of the co-captains of our footy club for a reason. It's not just his performance on game day, it's everything else he brings," Sloane said.
"I need him out there and we all need him out there performing and I reckon he's going to perform (this weekend)."
Adelaide co-captain Taylor Walker has endured a week in the spotlight after appearing to dodge contact in a contest last weekend with West Coast captain Shannon Hurn.
Some pundits have questioned the courage of Walker, who has admitted his action doesn't set a good example for his teammates.
"He would probably like his time again – he would act differently," Adelaide coach Don Pyke said.
"But we have got to be really careful in this industry. We want to pot a guy on an incident. He has been an outstanding player for us; he is a wonderful leader of our footy club."
Adelaide names an extended seven-man leadership group to support new co-captains Taylor Walker and Rory Sloane in season 2019.
Josh Jenkins, Richard Douglas and Daniel Talia have been elevated into the leadership group, which also consists of last year's crop of Walker, Sloane, Tom Lynch and Matt Crouch.
"These guys were recognised by their peers because of the way they drive standards and live our values and behaviours, while training, playing and engaging in other activities around the club," Adelaide coach Don Pyke said.
"Importantly, they are quality young men away from football and they bring a diverse range of skills and qualities which will help drive our group forward."
Rory Sloane is elevated to co-captain at Adelaide alongside Taylor Walker for the 2019 AFL season.
"The development I've seen in 'Sloaney' in the past four or five years has been outstanding," Walker said.
"It was a no-brainer for me to get Sloaney up to help me. Sloaney, the type of guy he is, he just wanted to do anything that was going to help us with success."
Sloane said he had no hesitation in accepting Walker and Crows coach Don Pyke's offer.
"My first reaction was, is this going to help us be a better team and help us achieve what we're all essentially here for?" Sloane said.
"Both of them thought yes, so as I've always said, anything that's going to help this team get success, I'm all up for.
"I'm really chuffed to be co-captain and run out next to him."
Adelaide has confirmed skipper Taylor Walker was dealt with over a 'very minor drinking indiscretion' last month that involved a breach of team standards.
A club spokesperson confirmed the matter was handled internally at the time and is now well and truly closed.
Adelaide coach Don Walker reveals the duress Crows captain Taylor Walker has played under in 2018.
"I certainly feel for him as captain of the footy club. From a performance viewpoint, he hasn't been able to do the things that he wants to do," Pyke said of Walker.
"He was pulling up sore, he developed some tendinitis is areas, so he started going backwards pretty quickly."
Adelaide expects Taylor Walker to be ready for day one of pre-season after the Crows skipper had ankle surgery to address a plantar fascia ligament complaint in his left foot.
Taylor Walker won't play again this year after accepting a two-game suspension that caps off his frustrating season.
Walker was handed a two-game ban for a tackle that knocked out Greater Western Sydney star Josh Kelly in the Crows' 14-point loss to the Giants at UNSW Oval in Canberra.
"It probably sums up my season," Walker said.
"It's been very challenging for me individually and us as a footy team."
Taylor Walker accepts a one-match ban for rough conduct after cannoning into Zac Tuohy which left the Cats defender dazed and having to leave the ground for a short period at Adelaide Oval.
Matt Crouch is set to become Adelaide's fourth captain this season as a spate of injuries strikes the club's leadership group.
Stand-in skipper Tom Lynch is expected to miss at least Sunday's away trip to Fremantle because of a side strain, his exact prognosis to be released on Tuesday.
With captain Taylor Walker (back/glute), vice-captain Rory Sloane (foot) and now Lynch sidelined, Crouch is the only member of the club's leadership group still fit.
After a week of being lambasted by the media for his poor form, Taylor Walker answers his critics with a match-winning performance against Sydney, booting four majors in Adelaide's 10-point triumph at the SCG.
Crows coach Don Pyke says he doesn't regret the club's contentious pre-season training camp, which has come under media scrutiny with reports certain players found it to be mentally stressful.
"It was a camp which we went on based on areas we wanted to get better," Pyke said.
"I'll never be an apologist for us trying to improve. The mental space is a space where you're seeing a fair chunk of the clubs are working in."
Adelaide captain Taylor Walker says he personally found the camp rewarding.
"The camp we went on with footy was personally one of the most beneficial and rewarding camps I've ever been on," Walker said.
"There was elements of the camp we delved into that (tested) the mental side (of the players), but we think we can get an advantage over the other teams in the competition."
Taylor Walker will again captain Adelaide this season, but the Crows have added a new face to their leadership group.
The Crows have cut back the group of leaders from six players to four for 2018, with Walker remaining skipper for a fourth season and Rory Sloane his vice-captain.
Forward Tom Lynch has also retained his place in the leadership group, with All Australian midfielder Matt Crouch included for the first time.
Having been in last year's group, superstar Eddie Betts and Daniel Talia are no longer members, while Scott Thompson has retired.
Taylor Walker is in a moonboot and won't play in either AFLX or the JLT Community Series after straining a foot tendon.
The Crows say the plantar fascia injury will restrict Walker's training over the next fortnight, but he is expected to make a full recovery in five to six weeks.
Melbourne recruit Jake Lever says he doesn't expect there to be any lingering tension between him and Adelaide captain Taylor Walker after his controversial off-season move to the Demons.
While Walker stoked tensions by declaring Lever had chosen money over success in making the move, the elite defender said he was sure the pair would be able to put the issue behind them.
"He was disappointed, as he should be. He's the captain of the club and he probably doesn't want people leaving his football club," Lever said.
"If me and 'Tex' catch up for a beer maybe in a couple of years, I'm sure there's not going to be too many problems."
Adelaide announces its 2017 leadership group on Monday, with Taylor Walker to continue as Crows captain for a third-straight season, supported by Eddie Betts, Tom Lynch, Rory Sloane, Scott Thompson and Daniel Talia.
Betts and Lynch have been voted into Adelaide's leadership group for the first time, while Rory Sloane has been elevated to vice-captain.
"Taylor has done an exceptional job as captain during my time at the club and has fittingly been returned to the role," Adelaide coach Don Pyke said.
"Rory is a great leader on and off the field for our players and he has deservedly been selected vice-captain. Daniel and Scott were both influential with their leadership last year and will continue to play an important role in 2017.
"Excitingly, Tom and Eddie have been recognised for their commitment to our team values and have been added to the group and both will be key contributors this season."
Adelaide captain Taylor Walker will continue to look to veteran duo Sam Jacobs and Richard Douglas for guidance, despite the pair having been dropped from the Crows' leadership group.
"(Jacobs) and (Douglas) won't be in the leadership group this year, (but) I've told them both I'll still lean on them for their experience and knowledge," Walker said.
"Whether (Jacobs) likes it or not, I'll still be poaching him and annoying him for information.
"I'm sure he's disappointed, he's a proud guy, but I've got no doubt that (Jacobs) will still be (Jacobs) and continue on what he normally does."
Taylor Walker isn't blaming his foot injury for his form slump.
While he's been unable to train fully recently because of the injury, Walker says it's not the reason for his below-average output.
"I set high standards on myself, obviously I'm not playing to that standard at the moment," Walker said.
"(My) form is on the way up. I know it's not far around the corner.
"I think the beauty of playing AFL, you control you're own form and the pathway that you want to go. So I have been working hard, as much as I can behind the scenes, and I'll continue to do that."
As he recovers from a foot injury, Taylor Walker says he believes he is not far from returning to his best despite dropping several marks in his most recent game against the Bulldogs.
"I don't beat myself up. I think it's important to review your individual performance and I know that I was very close," Walker said.
"When you can't consistently train, an area that goes away is your touch.
"I have done a lot of work on my touch the last month. So for me, it's not far away ... it's just around the corner."
Taylor Walker has allayed concerns over a lingering foot injury, despite wearing a protective moon boot after the Crows' season-opening loss to North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
"I'm just trying to get a bit of weight off it early in the week," Walker said.
"We have got our main session today; I will do the full session.
"It won't affect me at all ... I have had a bit of a sore foot for over a month or so now and Etihad is probably the hardest deck that we play on."
Taylor Walker engages in a war of words with tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios via Twitter, with Patrick Dangerfield also offering his thoughts during the exchange.
Taylor Walker has expressed his gratitude to former Crows coach Neil Craig for being hard on him early in his career.
The Crows skipper will play his 100th senior game on Saturday against the Sydney Swans, and has long been a lock in the club's best 22.
But it wasn't always that way.
Walker struggled to cement a place in the side early on his career, with Craig dropping him to the SANFL on numerous occasions to work on his defensive game.
Walker said while the treatment was annoying at the time, in hindsight he thanked the coach for teaching him valuable lessons.
"He was always onto me about my defensive sort of stuff, and I think I've got it to a level now where it's consistent," Walker said.
"At the time you think 'why can't I just play' because that's what you want to do, but now you look back and think it's a great learning curve.
"Being able to play 100 games for a footy club I grew up barracking for and one that I love, I'm excited and looking forward to it.
"I actually saw a photo the other day of when I first got to the club – [I was] skinny, tips in your hair, and how times have changed."
Walker admits that he has been unhappy with his 37-goal season to date but, as skipper, he's more focused on the performance of his side.
"My form isn't at the standard [I want] as an individual, but I'm still playing my role for the team just as we ask the other 21 blokes to do," he said.
"I've been working closely with 'Teaguey' (forward coach David Teague) and 'Campo' (Scott Camporeale) to get back to where I want to be."
Sam Mitchell concedes he must stop lifting his knee to protect himself from oncoming opponents after copping a fine from the Match Review Panel.
Mitchell accepted a $1500 fine for raising his knee and 'corking' Nat Fyfe during Hawthorn's thumping 72-point win over Fremantle.
It was the second time this year that the Hawks veteran has come under scrutiny for raising his knee, after he made contact with Crow Taylor Walker in round 12.
Mitchell was cleared by the MRP after the Walker incident, which later forced the Adelaide captain to be substituted out of the match.
But he said industry feedback from the Fyfe clash indicated he had to change his approach.
"I looked at the vision that the MRP look at and I can understand why it's not a good look and it's not a good thing for the game," Mitchell said.
"Although it's not my intention in that situation to hurt the other person – it's purely just to protect myself – I guess the game has given me the feedback that I need to change the way I go about doing that.
"I'll work on some techniques over the coming weeks and do it differently. But it's just an instinct thing that I've done for a long period and something that I now need to change.
"I have to do it differently, I need to find a new way to protect myself and get out of that habit, if you like, of putting my knee up. I need to turn to the side or whatever."
Taylor Walker has wasted no time flexing his muscle in his first season as skipper of the Crows with his 11 goals in three games thus far ranking him equal second in the league.
Walker is also averaging more marks (nine) and disposals (16.7) than at any other point in his career.
Fellow Adelaide forward Josh Jenkins says Walker's increased output has been a product of his natural progression since returning from a knee injury.
"He looks super, he looks fit, he looks strong, he looks really confident and guys feed off that," Jenkins said.
"Tex is 24 now so he's entering the prime time of his career. I think it was just natural that he was going to improve – we all know how talented he is and how good he can be.
"The captaincy probably adds a couple of per cent but in terms of his performance, it's just his pure talent and hard work."
Adelaide coach Phil Walsh says Taylor Walker was handed the Crows' captaincy because he placed the club before his own personal interests.
"I interviewed all the players as soon as I got to the club and all the staff, and there was probably only two people who the first thing they said to me was, 'You've got to make this club better, this could be a really good club'," Walsh told Fox Footy.
"Most of the other people – and it's human nature – they wanted to know what was in it for them or maybe what I thought of them as a player, but 'Tex' actually had some care for the club.
"Ever since that point, he's been the most influential person at the club wanting to get the place better, so it was an easy decision for me."
Taylor Walker says there is no animosity between any of his teammates who were overlooked for the Crows' captaincy.
"We spoke as a leadership group – I don't think they're angry at all," Walker said.
"Walshy made a decision and I think the beauty now is that as a captain you don't need to make all the decisions; we've got a leadership group, we're a pretty strong group and we're able to make decisions as a group."
Former Adelaide captain Nathan Van Berlo says being replaced as skipper of the Crows by Taylor Walker won't change his approach to football.
"I was always keen to do what's best for this football club and what's best for this footy club at the moment is that Taylor Walker's the captain," van Berlo said.
"I'm really supportive of Tex, I love him as a leader and he's such an influential person and player.
"I don't think it's going to affect my role within the team – it's business as usual for me."
Adelaide names Taylor Walker as the club's captain for 2015, ahead of out-of-contract pair Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield who served as co-captains in 2014.
Adelaide coach Phil Walsh says Walker epitomised his team-first philosophy.
"Since my first conversation with Taylor until (today) … he's all about making the team better," Walsh said.
"Early days I identified that he had a great influence around the group – you could see that straight away.
"When I came back after Christmas … Taylor's attributes shone even further."
Adelaide coach Phil Walsh says he has been highly impressed with Taylor Walker's leadership at the club.
"As coaches we see young men turn into leaders and that's what I think Tex has got ahead of him right now," Walsh said.
"He's 24, he's got his best footy in front of him but he's also a leader of men. I've seen it already. I've only been at the club a short time but he's an influential person."
Adelaide is hoping the club's bye this week will help star forward Taylor Walker recover from a host of niggling injuries.
Walker returned to the AFL in round nine against Collingwood having spent a year rehabilitating from a knee reconstruction.
He has played every game since and booted five goals against Gold Coast in round 11, but his form has tapered off in recent weeks as he has battled calf, hip, glute and hamstring complaints.
"When Taylor first came back I thought physically he looked magnificent – he covered the ground really well and his work rate was enormous," Adelaide assistant coach Mark Bickley said.
"He has been a little bit sore the last couple of weeks and whilst he hasn't been our worst performer he certainly hasn't been (performing) to the level that he would expect.
"He offers great on-field leadership, he also draws the best defender… Taylor's a vital cog in our wheel and he's playing an important role, but he'll be better after the break I'm sure."
Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson says Taylor Walker is likely to be rested in coming weeks as the club continues to manage his workload following his comeback from a serious knee injury.
"We have got some bands of six-day breaks coming up so he, like every player, will just analyse their wellness log, we have to be smart with all of our players but certainly Tex," Sanderson said.
"Some high intensity games and six-day breaks we'll be a little bit cautious with some guys and he probably falls into that category."
After booting his first goal since returning from a knee reconstruction last week against Carlton, Taylor Walker took another significant step towards his best footy on Sunday.
The 24-year-old was on fire in difficult conditions, slotting five goals, taking 10 marks and collecting 22 possessions against Gold Coast.
Brodie Smith says fans should be realistic with their expectations of Taylor Walker when he makes his return from a knee reconstruction this week.
"He will give us a big boost up forward and just having him in the side sparks the boys up, but to put all our hopes on Tex is unrealistic," Smith said.
"He's not going to come in and set the world on fire straight away. It will take a bit of time to get back to his best."
After a successful return to football via the SANFL, Taylor Walker says he's ready to play in the seniors again.
"I played on the weekend so I'm more than confident that I'd be right [if selected] … I'll just be guided by what 'Sando' says," Walker said.
"I'll recover form the weekend and when I get the chance I'll sit down with Sando and 'Bicks' (forward line coach Mark Bickley) and we'll have that chat as to when I play."
Taylor Walker makes a strong and injury-free return to competitive football, booting three goals from 6 marks and 12 disposals for Adelaide's SANFL side against Glenelg.
"We managed him through the game according to what was necessary and I thought he moved well, he got through the game," Adelaide SANFL coach Heath Younie said.
"He was really keen to play and excited and getting that goal early just probably settled him a little bit. I just spoke to him, he's fine, he's up and about and he's really happy with the way he's pulled up."
Taylor Walker will make his long-awaited return from a knee reconstruction this weekend in the SANFL.
"We have benchmarked strength testing, agility testing. He's in a great position; he's ready to go," Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson said.
"He should take a lot of confidence in playing, but I think we'll all be holding our breath. We'll have our fingers and toes crossed that he gets through those first few games."
Taylor Walker is expected to have precautionary scans on his hamstring after reporting tightness after a training session, but the club isn't concerned.
Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson says Taylor Walker's knee injury last year was a lot more serious than expected and that the key forward may not return until round 15 this year.
"This wasn't your typical ACL injury – this was more like a car crash," Sanderson said.
"'Tex' has been absolutely flying, he hasn't put a foot wrong and his recovery processes have been meticulous," Sanderson said.
"It's a real credit to him, how he's prepared himself to get back.
"We'll have our fingers crossed in those first few games that he comes back … and (when he does) he'll certainly have an immediate impact for us."
James Podsiadly says he has no issues with Taylor Walker returning from injury to join him in the Crows' forward line.
"It's actually exciting because 'Tex' is a player who wouldn't get in the way of any of the things going on when he gets back in the side. I think he's actually quite selfless [in] the way he plays his footy," Podsiadly said.
"From that perspective it's going to be really great to see him back in the team.
"He's training really well, he's training with the group. They're obviously holding him back because he's such an important part of this footy club and the team."
Taylor Walker says he is gaining more confidence in his knee as he gets closer to an AFL return.
"I'm slowly starting to see a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel, it's been a long nine months," Walker said.
"I'm slowly starting to do a little bit more competitive work and joining in with the group.
"Once we start doing all of that I'll do about four to six weeks of really hard pre-season training and make sure I'm really positive, which I am with the knee."
The Crows say Taylor Walker is still on track in his recovery from a knee reconstruction despite the forward having scans after developing swelling in his knee from the increased workload.
"It's structurally sound – the doctor just sent him for a scan to check that everything was alright, which it is," Adelaide football manager Phil Harper said.
"It's not uncommon in those type of injuries to get a little bit of swelling so he'll just have to take a bit of a back step for a couple of days and he'll be back into it."
The Crows say they have been pleased with Taylor Walker's comeback from a knee reconstruction.
"He's going well … the doctors haven't given a date yet on when he's to return but I wouldn't imagine it being anywhere after the 12-month period," Crows football manager Phil Harper said.
"If it was just Taylor's choice he'd probably play tomorrow but he's also not stupid enough not to be guided by the doctors.
"He's done everything asked plus the different rehab he did over in America – he hasn't missed a beat all along."
Adelaide assistant coach Mark Bickley says Taylor Walker's recovery from a knee reconstruction is progressing well.
"I think he's about 85-90 per cent speed with his running, but that's all straight line - he hasn't done any agility work yet, that's the next step for him," Bickley said.
"After that we get into the competitive work and the twisting and the turning and the involuntary-type muscle movements.
"Everything's gone really well so far, he's in great spirits and he's really confident that the work he's done is going to hold him in great stead."
Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson says Taylor Walker may complete his recovery from a knee reconstruction in time for round one.
"[His progress] couldn't be better to be honest, I'm really excited about the shape that he's in, he looks really fit - no setbacks at all at this point," Sanderson said.
"He's an incredible, professional athlete the way he prepares himself … he hasn't put a foot wrong.
"He'll definitely want to play round one … but he's a really important asset for us, we're not going to take any unnecessary risks when it comes to putting him back on the field before he's ready.
"At this stage I think he's going to be ready for the start of the season."
Patrick Dangerfield says teammate Taylor Walker should take his time to ensure he is fully recovered from a knee reconstruction before returning to the side.
"I'm sure he'd love to come back round one but at the same time, he's also aware that it's a long-term thing and we don't need him coming back a month early when he could possibly re-rupture it," Dangerfield said.
"For him, it's about ticking all the boxes and making sure that when he does come back, he can contribute for the side and be a long-term player and not re-do it for the sake coming back early."
Taylor Walker says he is progressing well in his recovery after a full knee reconstruction but is still unsure of when he will be returning to the side.
"We've got a lot of bridges to cross before we get to playing so I'm just looking forward to training really well and doing everything right so... when I come back I'm ready to go," Walker said.
"I had my six-month check up with the surgeon on Monday and he said it's coming along really well.
"Strength's really good, still trying to work on my power, and up and running and doing a lot of weights and agility."
Taylor Walker has left for the US to meet with leading knee rehabilitation specialist Bill Knowles who has worked with many of the word's top athletes.
"It's going to be for 10 days, two sessions a day, so Monday to Friday and have the weekends off, then Monday to Wednesday," Walker said.
"I'm looking forward to getting over there; he's big on acceleration, deceleration and jumping and landing. Hopefully he can hold me in good stead to get back."
Taylor Walker takes a significant step in his recovery from a serious knee injury, running with the aid of an anti-gravity treadmill.
"You've got to go week-by-week. When I do something new, for example running, my knee pulls up a bit sore. When I first started doing weights, I got a bit sore too but now it's fine," Walker said.
Taylor Walker will rely on a dead person's ligament to repair his damaged right knee.
Walker requires surgery to both his anterior cruciate ligament and lateral ligament. He'll use part of his own hamstring for his ACL reconstruction, but will rely on a donor for the lateral ligament.
"I'm actually going to get an allograft for my lateral ligament which I've torn as well, so someone that's passed away, I get a ligament from them," Walker said.
Taylor Walker will miss the rest of the 2013 season after scans revealed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and damage to the lateral aspect of the joint in his right knee.
Following a season-ending knee injury to Taylor Walker, Adelaide football operations manager says the club's interest in Lance Franklin has firmed.
"Of course Buddy Franklin or somebody like that would be nice – whether he wants to come to Adelaide or not [I don't know]," Harper said.
"I know there's a few people putting their hands up for him and maybe we'll do that as well. If he was interested, we would certainly put something there."
The Crows face a nervous 24 hours for news on the extent of Taylor Walker's knee injury suffered against the Blues.
"I've seen him this morning and he had a bit of a sleepless night, I guess he's very concerned, as we all are," Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson said on Channel Nine's The Sunday Footy Show.
"He's going to have scans tomorrow and it'll become a little bit clearer after that.
"It would be foolish of me to speculate on what the extent of the injury might be, but we've all got our fingers crossed it's not going to be an ACL."
Mick Malthouse likens bullocking Crows forward Taylor Walker to legendary goalkickers Tony Lockett and Jason Dunstall.
"He is the traditional (full-forward), that front-end player that's got great strength, (a) great kicking player that plays for his teammates and kicks goals," Malthouse said.
"When you trace that back along those lines to those sort of players, he is as close to those type of players, physically, as any player in the competition."
Taylor Walker is subbed out of game the Crows round 5 clash against Blues with a knee injury.
"You always hate losing one of your best players early in a match but fingers crossed that it's not long-term," Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson said post-match.
"I've heard everything since I've been back in the changerooms. I've heard everything from worst case to he could play next week. It would be foolish for me to comment too much further on it until we know exactly what's going on."
After a disappointing game against the Swans in the Crows' qualifying final, Taylor Walker drives Adelaide to victory with a dominant 5-goal performance against Fremantle in the semi final.
In big games, I like to pride myself on playing well and after last week I was pretty disappointed in my performance," Walker said.
"To come out and play well gives me a lot of confidence."
Friday, 7 September 2012
Patrick Dangerfield earmarks Taylor Walker as the player who can inspire the Crows in September.
"I think Taylor Walker's had an outstanding season and key forwards are super important in finals, probably because it's a really contested style of game and I think there's a lot more long kicking in finals," he said.
"He's certainly primed himself and he's really ready to do some damage. We've seen it throughout the season, he's a special player and I'm really confident he's going to have a big finals campaign."
Monday, 27 August 2012
Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson admits even he gets excited when Taylor Walker goes about his business after the Crows forward tallied 25 disposals, 16 marks and kicked 4.2 in a dominant display against the Demons.
"He's still a kid, he's still learning so many things about the game," Sanderson said.
"But gee he's exciting. Every time he's near the ball you hold your breath because you know anything can happen."
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Adelaide's Taylor Walker has been refining his tackling technique ahead of his return this weekend from a three-match suspension.
"One of the highlights of his form this season is how aggressive he is at every contest," Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson said.
"When you marry that up with a technique which we know is not perfect, then he's in trouble.
"So we've worked a little bit on that, just controlling the aggressive but trying to ensure that his technique is perfect as well."
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
MRP chairman Mark Fraser says medical reports played significant roles in Taylor Walker's three-match ban for his sling tackle on Tiger Steven Morris.
"A subsequent medical report made us increase the loading a little bit to medium," Fraser told The Verdict on AFL.com.au.
"While you can see from the initial vision that it doesn't seem like there's anything wrong, the subsequent medical report showed there was something going on there."
Monday, 2 July 2012
Taylor Walker faces a three-match ban after a sling tackle on Richmond's Steven Morris leading Crows skipper Nathan Van Berlo to question the clarity of the rules surrounding tackles.
"He (Walker) gets awarded a free kick and gets a shot at goal for what seemed to be a fairly aggressive tackle, but one that was deemed at the time to be within the rules," Van Berlo said.
"I daresay the AFL's going to keep looking at ways to try and make the rule there clearer but, at the moment, players just have to be aware that tackles are going to be heavily scrutinised."
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Taylor Walker's aggressive tackle on Tiger Steven Morris again raises eyebrows but Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson it shouldn't result in any sanction.
"I thought [it was a] fantastic tackle. The Richmond player bounced up and kept playing," Sanderson said.
"I know we have to be aware of any head contact with the ground and I think if you asked Taylor, he says he has learnt his lesson on that one. I will have to wait and see a replay but I hope for the good of the game that he's okay."
Monday, 18 June 2012
Taylor Walker signs a three-year contract extension with the Crows, and says new coach Brenton Sanderson played a big role in his decision to stay.
"I wasn't sure where I was at, so wanted to see what the new coach was like," Walker said.
"I'm really happy with 'Sando', I've got a really good relationship with him - every week he gives me a lot of confidence going out to play."
Walker, however, denied any rift with former coach Neil Craig.
"I knew within myself what I had to do and so did 'Craigy', the relationship was always open and honest," he said.
Sunday, 3 June 2012
Taylor Walker returns from a two-game suspension to kick four goals against Fremantle and says an arduous training load during his suspension ensured he was fit to fire.
It was very disappointing to hear the news, but at the end of the day you have to lick your wounds and serve the suspension," he said.
"So I did that and just tried to work as hard as I possibly could off-field and keep my fitness levels up because it was really important for me to come back and play at the level where I had left off."
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Adelaide forward Taylor Walker will miss the next two matches after accepting his suspension for a sling tackle.
"After much deliberation, we decided that it was too great a risk to contest the charge," Crows football manager Phil Harper said.
"We certainly didn't think the impact was medium - we thought it was low - but it wasn't worth the possibility of a three-game ban, which would've effectively seen Taylor miss four weeks of football because of our bye in round 11."
Friday, 20 April 2012
Adelaide assistant coach Mark Bickley says Taylor Walker must improve his consistency after a quiet four-possession performance against Hawthorn last week.
One thing I've spoken to Taylor about over a fairly long period of time is just narrowing the gap between his best and his worst," Bickley said.
"So far this year I think Taylor's been quite good at that … his poor games haven't been as poor as they were on the weekend."
Thursday, 2 February 2012
Taylor Walker and Matthew Jaensch have heeded coach Brenton Sanderson's call for a more aggressive approach in 2012 after the pair came to blows during a scratch match at training.
Monday, 29 August 2011
Adelaide forward Taylor Walker says he never had any intention of leaving the club despite persistent media reports.
"[The speculation] didn't annoy me one little bit. I had a clear mind about what I wanted to do, and just wanted to perform each week and do what I could for the club," Walker said.
"I love the club. We probably haven't had the best year as a club this year but I think in the next couple of years we are going to be pretty exciting."
Friday, 26 August 2011
Adelaide announces the re-signing of three key players, including forward Taylor Walker, Brent Reilly and Shaun McKernan.
"We are very keen to keep this group together and all three of these players are extremely important players in our team," Adelaide football operations manager Phil Harper said.
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Adelaide forward Taylor Walker says he is paying back the trust shown in him by caretaker coach Mark Bickley after being made to work hard to earn his spot by former coach Neil Craig.
"'Bicks' said he wanted me to put aside everything that had happened previously, and that he wanted to back me in and play me," Walker said.
"I was pretty stoked with that and I wanted to pay him back for the trust and respect he showed me in putting me back in the side."
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Adelaide forward Taylor Walker says he's expecting to remain with the club after months of speculation that he was moving to GWS.
"I've had no contact at all [with GWS]," Walker said.
"You've just got to laugh at it [the speculation]. Otherwise, you can get frustrated. My manager and I will sit down with the club and work something out at the end of the year. I plan to be at this club … I've got no intentions [of leaving]."
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Phil Davis becomes the third Adelaide player linked to GWS and Crows coach Neil Craig says the club cannot afford to lose any of them.
"I don't want to lose Phil Davis," Craig said on.
"It would be the same if we lost Taylor Walker. I want Taylor back in form, so he can continue his AFL career and improve at the rate that I think he can.
"We'd be worse off without Taylor, and it would be the same for Bernie Vince. We can't afford to lose any of those players, but we are [helpless] because of the rules."
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Taylor Walker will miss at least a month of action after scans revealed a low-grade PCL strain.
Monday, 30 May 2011
Adelaide forward Taylor Walker sustains minor damage to his posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee when he was tackled to the ground late in the second quarter against Brisbane and will undergo scans to determine the extent of the injury.
Thursday, 26 May 2011
Despite the beer-at-the-footy controversy, Adelaide's Taylor Walker has been named in the squad of 25 to play the Lions.
"I think he's paid a big price for something, which I'd have on the minor-end of the scale in real terms but that's the nature of the industry he works in," Crows coach Neil Craig said.
"In terms of perception, I can't defend it. I don't have a problem with any of our players once they've played a game, if they want to consume alcohol in a responsible manner."
Monday, 23 May 2011
Adelaide says a fine or suspension for Taylor Walker won't be forthcoming after the forward was filmed during beer-drinking incident.
"He's done a lot of good things over the last two weeks. He's gone back to the SANFL with the right attitude and played some good footy. He's got some deficiencies, which he's working on," teammate Michael Doughty said.
"He's a required player in our football team and the sooner we get him back the better we'll be. He made an innocent mistake on Saturday having a beer and we'll leave it at that."
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Adelaide coach Neil Craig defends footage of Taylor Walker having a beer with friends at the footy.
"If he was probably at home having a barbeque with his mate and had a beer it wouldn't be an issue would it?" Craig said.
"My understanding is that he was at the footy having a beer, I don't think he was intoxicated."
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Adelaide is hopeful forward Taylor Walker won't view his recent axing as a reason to join Greater Western Sydney.
"I'd like to think that Taylor understands that just because you get omitted from a side in this industry it doesn't mean the club doesn't want you, or that you're future is somewhere else," Craig said.
"There's no doubt in my mind that Taylor's got a future here, but I have a responsibility that the players have a skill set that enables them to perform for our team."
Friday, 11 February 2011
Adelaide forward Taylor Walker has fueled speculation of a move to GWS after putting off contract negotiations until the end of the season.
"We've spoken to his [Walker's] manager a couple of times and the bottom line is they want to put it [his contract negotiation] off until the end of the year and we respect that," Crows football operations manager Phil Harper.
"Obviously, it's not ideal for us but there's not much we can do about it. There's no use panicking about something you've got no control over. All you can do is try to talk to them about it and let them make a call from there. You can't force people to do what they don't want to do."
Crows chief executive Stephen Trigg said that the club had put a generous offer to Walker but was rejected.
"The offer we have put to him to stay is extraordinarily good but unfortunately we haven't got anywhere yet," Trigg said.
"It's a frustration but it's not unique to us. It's a changing landscape and is something we will have to continue to deal with because free agency will follow GWS's concessions after 2012.''
Friday, 31 December 2010
Adelaide will aim to re-sign talented forward Taylor Walker by March to keep him from the reach of Greater Western Sydney.
"We've already spoken to Taylor's management and the managers of quite a few other players with the view to start talking about re-signing [them] come February [or] March next year," Adelaide football operations manager Phil Harper said.
"We'll start talking to them and then it's up to the player and their management whether they do it then or wait. Normally, they want to wait a bit later, especially when we're dealing with a player on the rise as far as performance goes like Taylor is."
Monday, 8 March 2010
Taylor Walker is being groomed to take on a new role as a forward who plays up a ground while having stints through the midfield since running time trials as fast as Adelaide's midfielders.
"We don't want Tex to get stuck deep in our forward line," Crows assistant coach David Noble said.
"He doesn't want to do that and as coaches we're not doing our job if we don't develop other areas of his game. He needs to have the capacity to do more and what he's shown us this pre-season is that he does."
Friday, 3 July 2009
Despite earning a NAB rising star nomination in round 10, Taylor Walker is dropped from the Crows side to face Richmond after having three quiet games.
"We all know how talented a player Taylor is, especially offensively. He's got an exquisite kicking ability and so forth, but we just want Taylor to tidy up on some of his defensive action," Adelaide coach Neil Craig said.
"Even though he plays up forward, that is pretty important for us and I don't want him to have the pressure of AFL games on him to do that. I'm sure Taylor will come back fairly soon."
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Adelaide forward Taylor Walker has earned the round 10 NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for his five-goal haul against Hawthorn.
The young forward has been compared to former Crow great Tony Modra.
"I don't think you can compare me and Tony Modra. He's kicked more than 500 goals. I've played 10 games and kicked 20 goals, so I don't think there's any comparison there," he said.
Monday, 11 May 2009
A wonderful exhibition up forward against the Bulldogs has Adelaide fans excited about 19-year-old Taylor Walker.
Walker kicked 4 goals and took 9 marks in Adelaide's loss to the Bulldogs.
"It was the best game Taylor has played for us. Not so much because of the shots on goal he had - although that was pleasing - but I was really pleased with the way Taylor went about his work," Crows coach Neil Craig said.
"He actually won a bit more of his own ball and put himself in position to compete for the ball one-on-one. In the past, unless we've been able to get the ball to him cleanly, he hasn't necessarily been able to get himself into the game."