Crows captain Taylor Walker won’t challenge his two-game suspension for rough conduct which he says sums up a disappointing season

ADELAIDE captain Taylor Walker’s year is officially over after confirming he will not appeal his two-game ban for rough conduct and has opened up on about his ‘challenging’ 2018.

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ADELAIDE captain Taylor Walker’s year is officially over after confirming he will not challenge his two-game ban for rough conduct which he says sums up his season.

Walker was banned after his tackle left GWS midfielder Josh Kelly concussed in Saturday night’s loss to the Giants in Canberra.

“It does happen so quick and I do remember getting in the motion I thought ‘shit, this could be a sling tackle’ so I did let him go,” Walker said.

“But they’re so protective of the head and if the consequence is they’re knocked out or hit their head then you’re in trouble, disappointing but that’s the way the rules go and that’s where footy is now.

The match review officer graded the Walker tackle as careless contact with high impact to the head. Picture: Matt King (Getty).

“(I’m) disappointed, I’m not going to challenge it. It probably sums up my season, very challenging for me individually and us as a footy team.

“Two games, I’ll cop it, my body’s crying out for a bit of rest so it gives an opportunity for someone else to play the last two games. I’ll put the feet up and finish the year.

“It (the loss) was a snapshot of our season, we played some good footy, had some lapses, didn’t have enough guys playing their role and in the end we got beat by a pretty good team.”

It is the second time Walker has been suspended this season after he got one game for a high bump on Geelong’s Zach Tuohy in Round 17. He played 14 games for 26 goals in between suspension and recurring injuries this year and admits his body needs rest to recover.

“I haven’t worked that out yet (whether he’ll need surgery), I don’t think so, my groins and foot are still a bit sore but I’ve played with them for most of the year so two weeks off will give me a head start on pre-season for next year,” Walker told Triple M radio on Tuesday morning.

“I’m going to start asap, it gives me two weeks head start on everyone else.”

With Walker out it opens the door for Mitch McGovern and Darcy Fogarty to push for a recall while there are growing calls for the Crows to blood Elliot Himmelberg who was taken with Pick No. 51 in the 2016 national draft and has shown glimpses at SANFL level.

“You don’t gift games, he’d (Himmelberg) be a good chance to play. Fog, McGovern, we’ve got some guys who have been playing some good footy in the SANFL so there’s a chance we’ll have a look at them but we also want to finish off the year really strong going into pre-season so it’s a balancing act,” Walker said.

Adelaide finishes its season against North Melbourne and Carlton. Picture: Matt King (Getty).

Walker said there were positives to come from the season including Brodie Smith’s impressive return from a knee reconstruction and the emergence of some talented young players.

“Injuries create opportunities and Gallucci, Murphy, Doedee, you’ve seen what Wayne Milera can do, he reminds me of a little Bunji off half-back,” Walker said.

The Crows finish their season against North Melbourne at home and Carlton at Etihad Stadium.

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