Champion Data ranks Taylor Walker above average for key forwards this season despite criticism of his form

Adelaide co-captain Taylor Walker has had his critics this year. However, stats show he is ranked above average for key forwards in 2019. But should he still be considered a key forward?

Taylor Walker is ranked above average this year for key forwards in 2019. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

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He has bore the fair brunt of criticism levelled at Crows players, and has had footy greats calling for him to be dropped.

But the numbers show that Adelaide co-skipper Taylor Walker is in fact ranked above average in 2019 for a number of vital metrics for a key forward, which have been overshadowed by speculation about his place in the team.

After a goalless game against West Coast, St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt said Walker should not be safe from being sent to the SANFL to recover form — something that Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins, Bryce Gibbs and Hugh Greenwood have all experienced this season.

Adelaide’s Taylor Walker (left) and David Mackay during the round 19 match against Carlton. Picture: Getty Images

“I think just because you’re captain doesn’t mean you’re immune to going back to the SANFL,” Riewoldt said on SEN during the May game.

The calls intensified after another quiet game for Walker against Essendon two weeks ago.

Walker himself told Triple M that he believed he was “still doing things that I think warrant a spot”, and hoped Crows selectors would back him in again — they ended up dropping fan favourite Betts for the disappointing loss to Carlton.

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But according to Champion Data — the official statisticians of the AFL — Walker’s output on the whole in 2019 is considered to be “above average” for key forwards, especially his solid work inside 50 and around goals.

In 2019, Walker is averaging 12.3 disposals, 5.2 marks, 1.9 forward 50 marks, 6.2 score involvements, 1.8 goals and 8.5 forward half pressure acts after an improved performance against Carlton in which he kicked three goals and had 11 disposals.

But Melbourne great Garry Lyon said Walker shouldn’t be considered a key forward, despite his 194cm height.

“Tex kicked three goals in the first half as your classic small-half forward,” he said on Fox Footy’s On the Couch on Monday night.

“That’s how he did it, he didn’t do it as a key forward so let’s stop talking about Tex as a key forward.

“He is not a key forward he is a small-half forward, I know that sounds stupid, but that is how you treat him when you are selecting that team.”

Following the loss to Carlton, Crows coach Don Pyke said he was satisfied with the response of his co-captain to the criticism.

“He was up and about early, he was trying, he was presenting at the footy,” he said.

“He did some good things but like a lot of guys there were times when we didn’t have the energy that we looked like we were capable of playing with.”