Taylor 'Tex' Walker - lovable larrikin with a silver lining
CROWS star Taylor Walker knew he would one day be where he is today ... standing on the brink of greatness as the spearhead in his side's AFL premiership quest.
CROWS star Taylor Walker knew he would one day be where he is today ... standing on the brink of greatness as the spearhead in his side's AFL premiership quest.
The boy from Broken Hill, who has earned cult status with his trademark mullet hairstyle and bustling on-field talent, was certain he would achieve his dream of playing football at the highest level. He wasn't shy in telling people either.
No one ever had to ask Taylor "Tex" Walker what he thought, according to the people who know him best.
His family, teachers and hometown supporters have revealed what made the man who is today the key in Adelaide's AFL preliminary final against Hawthorn at the MCG.
He was a schoolboy sports star, a constant practical joker and a lovable larrikin who was bursting with self-confidence. And the trademark mullet is not a new thing for the "unique individual" who has sported the business-at-the-front, party-at-the-back look, for much of his life. Walker's hairdresser mum, Marg, would not comment on her son's haircut.
Dad Wayne doesn't care so long as his lad is enjoying his footy and playing well. And the people of Broken Hill are divided on Tex's trademark.
Willyama High School canteen manager and Crows fanatic Chris Boatswain was the butt of many of Walker's jokes but is now one of his biggest fans. She reckons the mullet gives Broken Hill a bad name.
"I don't like the mullet ... that doesn't suit him at all," the woman Walker dubbed "Betty Boatswain" laughed. "He needs to sort something out about his haircut ... that's giving a bad name to Broken Hill.
"I can't say what I thought of him as a student. He was a very likely lad.
"He always wanted everything right now. Of course we're proud of him ... we're proud of all of our students, be they a footy star or the poor little bugger shovelling s... for a living."
His high-school physical education teacher Rachel Devoy also fell victim to plenty of Walker's practical jokes.
Once he scrawled the words "I love Taylor Walker" on her pencil case during a class.
"You keep that Miss, it will be worth something one day," he told her.
Ms Devoy did keep that pencil case and has it hidden away.
"He always wanted to get to the Crows team and he never had one thought that he wouldn't make it," Ms Devoy said.
Wayne Walker, a Broken Hill football legend who won four association best and fairest medals and played in nine premierships with North Broken Hill, said that Taylor had always been a bit different.
"He's a 22-year-old kid enjoying himself," he said. "The mullet ... it's just him being an individual. He was a bit of a rascal in school and it has always been about footy for Taylor.
"From the age of four he was in the footy changerooms all the time and he has worked very hard at it when he has been given his chances."
Older brother Ayrton was a talented footballer, his sister Aisha is an outstanding athlete and successful footballer in women's competitions, while his mum was a gymnast. Walker's family makes the long trip to Adelaide from Broken Hill regularly to watch him play and they enjoy the times he can return home for visits.
"He's just a country boy," Wayne said. "You can't take that out of him. He loves getting back here on the Sunset Strip where he goes jet skiing, fishing and yabbying."
Local photographer and North Broken Hill Bulldogs supporter Gavin Schmidt said Walker never missed going to the local footy and dreamed of a football career from the age of six.
It was during those early years at Broken Hill North Primary School when young Taylor was banned from playing footy on the back flat because he was too rough.
Sonja McEvoy, the school's assistant principal, said Walker was a good kid but also a bit of a ratbag. "The mullet fits him well," she said.
"I think he would look better without it but it is his trademark."
Walker recently returned to the school to the delight of the students and he has plenty of people in Broken Hill who sing his praises.
"He always looked out for the special needs children that came through the school," Mrs McEvoy said.
"He wouldn't stand for people picking on those kids ... they were off-limits in Taylor's eyes and I know at least once he sorted someone out for picking on them."
Willyama High principal Tony Hicks said Walker had grown up a lot with his new Adelaide Crows family.
"We get him back here in Broken Hill a bit. One time he came back to see a few of the teachers to apologise to them for being a bit of a bugger to them when he was at school," Mr Hicks said.
"He really is proof you can take the boy out of Broken Hill but you can't take Broken Hill out of the boy."
Tour bus operator and committed Crows fan Milton Hawke makes sure people on his tours know Walker is a Broken Hill boy by pointing out the grounds and Bulldogs clubhouse where the star began his footy career.
"I always point out where the boys, including Dean Solomon (ex-Fremantle and Essendon) and Brent Staker (Brisbane), trained and played ... particularly to any Victorians," Mr Hawke said. He added: "Taylor's game last week was brilliant.
"If they leave him there and let him do his own thing he can star.
"When he's out in the open, one on one, there's not many players who can stop him. He has that X-factor."
