Taylor Walker says AFL boss Gill McLachlan owes him after copping a rough conduct fine
ADELAIDE captain Taylor Walker has been left scratching his head about a fine for misconduct, and will challenge it at the tribunal after venting to Gillon McLachlan on Twitter. But his thirst for atonement against Richmond on Friday night is clear.
- Blight: What’s on your mind, Rory?
- Crows won’t bow to Tiger pain
- Power rankings: Heart and soul of Crows
- Tex was superb: Dermie
- AFL Daily: All the latest news and views
TAYLOR Walker says AFL boss Gill McLachlan owes him an invite to his lavish Christmas soiree and will challenge a misconduct fine at the tribunal.
Just days after raising $100,000 for melanoma research, Walker was slapped with a $2500 penalty for retaliating to a punch in the back from West Coast’s Luke Shuey during Adelaide’s 10-point win against the Eagles last Saturday night that would have been reduced to $1500 with an early plea. Shuey escaped sanction.
Walker will front the tribunal on Tuesday night to challenge the charge after venting his frustration in a fun tweet to McLachlan.
‘Gil you better have me on your Xmas break up list … honestly!
“I am not going to say Luke Shuey should have got fined as I don’t want dob on him but … $1500?”
Walker was left scratching his head from the fine but his thirst for atonement against Richmond on Friday night is clear.
Adelaide’s 2017 grand final loss to the Tigers and internal acrimony that followed extending to the club’s disastrous preseason camp on the Gold Coast remains a sore point.
“I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about the grand final,” Walker said.
“They are in great form, so are we, coming off a good win so let’s go over there and try and beat them.
“I thought we played some really good footy, it was a really challenging first half of the year for us but you still need to put in perspective, still out of the eight, eyeing off final.
“We have some steps to take and what better way than to jump on the plane on Thursday and go over and try and beat the ladder leaders in Richmond.”
Walker said the return of heart-and-soul vice-captain Rory Sloane had provided an enormous boost to the Crows along with the return of defenders Rory Laird and Luke Brown.
Sloane missed nine games with a Lisfranc (foot) injury.
“I am sure he will run out of puff here and there but it was great to have him back, leadership along with Lairdy and Brown. Sloaney will be looking forward to playing at the G,” said Walker.
Adelaide kicked poorly — 12.16 against the Eagles — but overcame a 20-point deficit to win which gave Walker hope his side could feature in September.
“It was a great win, took us four quarters. The first three quarters probably were a bit scrappy, we lacked a little bit of composure going forward,” Walker told Triple M.
“We didn’t put on as much scoreboard pressure as we should have, then in the last quarter we were able to take our opportunities and Tom Doedee got to kick his first goal. We played some really good footy in the last quarter which was great.”
Walker stood up with three goals in his best game of the season.
“I would probably say it was my best quarter for the year, got some good opportunities from the midfield, thought Sam Jacobs played a great game, the backs stood up and we had everyone playing their role,” he said.
Watch every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. SIGN UP NOW >