Crow banned: All the reaction and fallout from Taylor Walker’s racist slur
Taylor Walker is stepping away from Adelaide as a former teammate reveals how his friendship with the Crows star has strained relationships at his new club.
AFL News
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Former Adelaide midfielder Brad Crouch says his friendship with Taylor Walker has made conversations with Indigenous teammates at current club St Kilda tough after the former Crows captain’s ban for using a racial slur.
Walker was suspended for six matches on Friday, and also fined $20,000, for using a racial slur when speaking about North Adelaide player Robbie Young at SANFL match last month.
Walker again stayed away from West Lakes on Monday, and will now take an extended break from the club after receiving the ban.
He is also expected to not be on Triple M in Adelaide on Tuesday morning for his usual guest spot as well.
Watch The 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
The former Crows captain made the remark about Young to Crouch’s brother Matt at the quarter time huddle — after Matt and Young had been in a scuffle moments before the siren sounded.
Crouch said Matt had to participate in the AFL’s investigation into the claim about Walker making the slur, which was reported to the club by a Crows official who overhead it.
“He had to speak with the AFL and virtually tell them his side of the story,” Crouch said on SEN.
“It’s a tough position for him to be in as well.”
Crouch said he had spoken to Walker, who was “really struggling”.
“He has made a massive mistake and he has to pay for it but I want to make sure people are there to support him as well,” he said.
“I’ve spoken to him on the phone, he is really disappointed with himself. He is struggling and he has found it really tough.”
Crouch said it was a tough conversation to have with the Saints’ Indigenous players, given he knew Walker well.
“We’re still seeing so much of it happen still, which is so frustrating, and I can only imagine how frustrating that would be to an Indigenous person,” he said.
“I really feel for them because we’ve got great players at the club who are hurt by it.
“It’s tough to speak to them because I know Taylor as well, it’s tough and it is really difficult.”
Crouch also said he thought it would be “best for everyone” if Walker was able to return to footy next year.
Fellow ex-teammate Patrick Dangerfield, who is the president of the AFL Players Association, said Walker had “no excuse”. “Particularly as an AFL player, there is no-one that gets more education around racial vilification and the impact that it has on Indigenous Australians,” he said.
‘Higher ground?’: Why Walker has incensed community
Former Crow Tony Armstrong said Tex Walker, who he said he had been close to for 16/17 years, making a racial slur to North Adelaide’s Robbie Young was “really hard to reconcile” on a personal level.
“I’ve known Tex for the best part of 16/17 years and when you have a friend, or someone who you have been close with for that long and it comes out that he has said something like that it really hurts being a black fella,” he said on Fox Footy.
Armstrong, who also played for Sydney and Collingwood and hosts Yokayi Footy — a celebration of Indigenous players in the AFL and footy — said Walker being found guilty of racial vilifying Young had past and present Indigenous players extremely frustrated.
“Was it 23 years ago that ‘Spider’ (Peter) Everett for a racial slur (got a) $20,000 fine and a four-week ban,” he said.
“Yet we still say we are coming down so much harder and we have come so, so much further since then but in 23 years the only difference is two weeks in games.
“I think the AFL and everyone involved in the Peek rule needed to come down a fair bit harder.
“And then overall how it makes Aboriginal players feel. I’ve been second guessing walking into rooms, I’m playing situations back over in my head.
“I’m in a text group with a lot of indigenous players and it has just been hopping off about how we feel. It has been a really crappy 36 hours for Indigenous people and it continues to happen over and over again.”
Armstrong said Walker’s punishment — a six-week suspension, a fine of $20,000 to go to a South Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander charity and education — needed to be harsher.
“I think the other thing is that all of us are really frustrated with is that all of us are the ones who have to educate, with a smile on our face be the ones who always have to take the higher ground,” he said.
“Not be angry, put the olive branch out and educate.
“There is no place where there is more education than the AFL. Indigenous people over-index in the AFL.
“So there is enough there for people to be better and it is so, so, so disappointing. To be quite frank we are pretty angry.
“I think money isn’t the issue, education and way more weeks (are what Walker should cop).”
Walker made a statement when the penalty was handed down, but is yet to address questions on it.
Blues join Betts to continue calling out racism
Eddie Betts — and Carlton — will continue to call out racist behaviour in an effort to bring about greater awareness and change, according to Blues coach David Teague.
Just a day after Betts’ former Adelaide teammate Taylor Walker admitted he was “deeply ashamed” for making a racist comment at a SANFL game last month, the Blues veteran made a powerful on-field statement during the clash with Gold Coast on Saturday.
Betts, who has passionately spoken about how racism has impacted on him and his family across his 348-game career, had a message — ‘No room for racism’ — handwritten on his tapped wrist.
“Eddie and our football club are very strong around (that message),” Teague said. “We have the ability to try and influence others and we believe strongly in that.”
Betts, 34, played six seasons at Adelaide alongside Walker, who was banned for six matches and fined $20,000 for a racial slur aimed at North Adelaide’s Robbie Young in a Crows’ reserves game on July 17.
“Eddie was linked into it a fair bit through the AFL,” Teague said. “I spoke to him (on Friday) and he said he felt really good about the (Suns) game and he was excited to be back out there.
“I have no doubt not only Eddie, but the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders will be hurt by that and as a nation and as a football community we need to keep educating and keep looking to get better.
“We need to continue calling it out.”
Betts only had five disposals but still kicked a goal in his return and remains on track to play his 350th AFL game in Round 23.
He is currently No. 3 in the most VFL-AFL games played by an Indigenous player, behind Shaun Burgoyne (404) and Adam Goodes (372).
Betts met Carlton earlier this week about his future with the option of playing on in 2022 still a chance.
But the Blues also spoke to him about an ongoing off-field role deep into the future, given the respect he has won as a footballer, a leader and as an Indigenous role model.
Vince: I hope this isn’t how Tex is remembered
Suspended Crow Taylor Walker’s former teammate Bernie Vince wants him to play again next year but warns he will be treated differently after this week’s racism scandal.
Vince spent time with a “remorseful” but “shattered” Walker on Friday, when the AFL slapped him with a six-match ban for his racial slur about North Adelaide’s Robbie Young at a SANFL match last month.
An Adelaide official reported the club’s one-time captain after hearing him vilify Young at a quarter-time huddle before the Crows alerted the AFL about the matter.
Coach Matthew Nicks, whose emotions spilled over speaking about the situation, could not guarantee that Walker would play for Adelaide in 2022, but left the door ajar.
Vince said Walker was “as flat” as he had ever seen him — in major contrast to his usually “energetic” self — but backed him to return to the field next season.
“Without the suspension, I don’t think he was in the right head space to probably play,” Vince said on Triple M on Saturday.
“He would’ve pulled himself out of playing probably for this year, anyway, because his mindset is just all over the shop at the moment.
“I can see him playing but it’s going to take a long time, this one. I just hope it’s not the way he’s remembered, because he’s done so many good things, for the AFL, Adelaide footy club and Adelaide the city.
“It’s just so unlike him.
“I think it’d be good for him to get back and play some good footy next year as well, because that way people will remember him for the right things and hopefully this doesn’t scar him too much.”
Vince revealed that Walker watched Nicks’ emotional media conference on Friday and it rammed home the consequences of his actions.
“Different people will have different point of views and will treat him differently,” Vince said.
“When he walks into his footy club, it will be a lot different to when every other time he’s walked in there for the last 15 years, because he doesn’t know how people are going to be accepting of him.
“Does he have to earn everyone’s respect back? Yes … It’s going to take time about when he comes back, and only time will tell, but I can see him coming back.”
Vince said he was playing his role as a close friend to support Walker, but that it was important to remember the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples involved needed “cuddling” as well.
“He’s just shattered he’s said what he’s said, because his relationship with Indigenous players is as good as you’ll ever see,” he said.
“He’s had Indigenous players live with him, and past and present players still keep in contact – some of those players have reached out to him.
“It was very sad being with him yesterday, but it’s something you can’t take back. Once it’s happened, it’s happened.”
Indigenous great blasts Tex for ‘blood boiling’ racism
– Jon Ralph and Matt Turner
Indigenous great Michael O’Loughlin says his heart goes out to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders playing for the Crows because they would be feeling “alienated and angry” by Taylor Walker’s racist behaviour.
O’Loughlin told News Corp the Walker incident was “blood boiling stuff” that would not be tolerated.
“There is a lot of emotion in my veins,” said O’Loughlin, now a Sydney board member.
“There has got to be accountability and this case is an example to the rest of the competition that this is not acceptable.
“We are sick to death of it. The best player who has ever played at that football club in Andrew McLeod, it’s his club and he’s helped build it and my heart and feelings go out to him.
“It’s really disappointing that someone of Tex’s standing in the game has caused so much hurt and damage.”
O’Loughlin said he would be reaching out to North Adelaide’s Robbie Young who was the focus of Walker’s racist outburst during the quarter-time break of a Crows reserves match at Prospect Oval on July 17.
A Crows official heard Walker, a spectator at the match, making the comment to teammate Matt Crouch after he had been involved in a scuffle with Young during the first quarter.
“Well done to the trainer for calling it out but now we need to make sure Robbie and the players at the Crows are in a really good headspace,” O’Loughlin said.
O’Loughlin said his former teammate and Crows coach Matthew Nicks was the man to change the culture at Adelaide.
“I have known him since he was 17 as one of my closest mates and he would be distraught and disappointed,” O’Loughlin said.
“Knowing Matt, he has had such a long association with indigenous people and he has grown up in places where he has had a lot of indigenous friends and I am one of them and so is Adam Goodes.
“He is about creating a culture and not putting up with that garbage on the footy field.
“My heart goes out to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders playing for the Crows because their cultural safety is so important and they would be feeling alienated and angry and that’s a major concern from all of this.”
Fremantle star Michael Walters slammed Walker’s actions, saying the regularity of racial incidents within the footy community was tiring.
“Education is the key but we are getting sick of it,” Walters told Triple M.
“We all need to educate each other, the young kids coming through but adults need it as well.
“It’s highly disappointing isn’t it? Someone who plays the game AFL, it’s definitely not acceptable in society let alone sport.”
AFL boss condemns Tex’s actions, praises Crows official
– Matt Turner and Glenn McFarlane
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says Taylor Walker’s racist comment at a recent SANFL match was “completely unacceptable” and “has no place in our game and our community” as he praised the courage of the Adelaide official who reported the incident.
Speaking after Walker was banned for six games, and fined $20,000 as part of a range of penalties, McLachlan said he had hoped the heavy punishment set a precedent for the future.
The penalty came a day after Walker apologised to North Adelaide’s Robbie Young for making a racial slur at a July 17 match between the Crows reserves and the SA Roosters.
McLachlan said on 3AW: “It was a comment that was made that had racist language and it was just completely unacceptable.”
“There is just no place for (that) language or behaviours or actions in our game and in our community.
“There has been genuine remorse … by Taylor Walker, absolute genuine remorse and strong accountability and an apology that satisfied the other parties.”
The AFL boss said the complainant – a Crows staffer – had requested anonymity, but deserves praise for showing courage in raising the matter with the club.
He said the AFL had been satisfied with the penalties handed to Walker, including a ban of six games (the final three of this season and the first three games of next season), and a $20,000 donation to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island program.
The former Crows skipper will also have to apologise for his conduct to his Adelaide teammates and to the North Adelaide side, as well as undergo an education program.
“I think six games, which is nearly a third of the season, $20,000, a series of education pieces and conversations is a strong action,” McLachlan said.
“It is certainly acceptable to the other parties and it is acceptable to the AFL.”
AFL executive general manager of inclusion and social policy Tanya Hosch attended the conciliation meeting on Thursday and reinforced that racism had no place in football or the community.
“Racist actions and behaviours are inexcusable,” Hosch said in a statement.
“The AFL strongly condemns the racial vilification of our football community including our players, staff, and their families, across all levels of our game.
“I would like to acknowledge everyone involved in today’s conciliation process, especially the Adelaide official and Mr Young for calling out the behaviour and/or taking a stand against racism by their involvement in this process.
“I have no doubt Mr Walker is remorseful, understands that his comments can trigger trauma and seriously impact the mental health of the individuals, families and communities involved and he has accepted his sanctions.”
AFL Players Association chief Paul Marsh joined the AFL and the Crows in condemning racial vilification.
“Tex’s language was damaging and divisive, and there is no excuse for it. We are very clear on this – racism is abhorrent and there is no room for it in our game,” Marsh said.
“In my conversations with Tex, he has expressed his sincere and genuine remorse and has owned and apologised for his actions.
“Tex is committed to not only learning from this, but to also make a positive difference moving forward.
“We would like to acknowledge Robbie Young, and we have reached out to him to offer our support. We would also like to commend the Adelaide Crows official for his courage in tackling this issue.
“We hope that an outcome of this situation is that we take another step forward towards stamping out racism, both in our game and in society.”
GWS star wants out: Free agent poised for SA switch
One of GWS’ star free agents has told the club he wants out amid links to South Australia.
Free trade tracker: Every player linked with your club
Trade requests, the latest rumours and every player linked with your club. Stay across every big AFL trade story and see who could be on the move in our Trade Tracker.