Taylor Walker says pre-season camp on Gold Coast helped rather than hindered Adelaide

ADELAIDE captain Taylor Walker has rubbished suggestions its Gold Coast pre-season mind camp harmed teammates, saying it will give the Crows an edge and he would recommend it to family and mates.

Adelaide Crows’ 2018 leadership group, Tom Lynch, Rory Sloane, Taylor Walker, and Matt Crouch.

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ADELAIDE skipper Tex Walker has taken issue with speculation that a ‘cult like’ pre-season camp on the Gold Coast in January harmed players, saying he would recommend it to his family and best mates.

Foxfooty.com.au reported on Monday night multiple experienced Crows were bewildered and mentally distressed after the club’s first pre-season camp in seven years turned sour.

The Advertiser last Thursday revealed the Crows had undergone extensive psychological profiling on its Gold Coast camp from January 29 to February 2 in an effort to avert a repeat of their 2017 grand final meltdown against Richmond.

Crows star Eddie Betts said the camp had helped players identify when teammates were having a bad day and intervene, in a move supported by coach Don Pyke.

Adelaide Crows' players Hugh Greenwood and Myles Poholke at Broadbeach, Gold Coast during the Adelaide Football Club’s pre-season camp. Picture: Adelaide Football Club.

Walker said Adelaide had focused on mental techniques at its Gold Coast camp but wanted to correct inaccuracies regarding the Man Kind project run by Collective Minds.

“That camp was one of the most beneficial and rewarding I have been on and advise any of my best mates or family members to do the same thing,” Walker told Triple M’s Roo and Ditts.

“Our football club like most other teams is exploring getting an edge in the AFL and that is in the mental space.

“We have been doing that for a couple of years whether that is mindfulness or meditation. Yes there were elements of the camp we delved into on the mental side but we think it is an element we can get an edge over other teams in the competition.

“We have signed up with Collective Minds who are a great business to be involved with.

“We find this is area our football club wants to improve in and other clubs are doing the same thing.”

St Kilda legend Danny Frawley told AFL Nation players were blindfolded for 24 hours on the Gold Coast wearing only shorts and reported feeling distressed.

Walker said he “was not aware of” any players left depressed or disturbed by the camp

“Personally I am great,” Walker said.

Walker said it was “incorrect” questionnaires were filled out in reaction to the suggestion that the players were forced to fill out papers that were mentally challenging.

Adelaide board member Mark Ricciuto said the club viewed mind training as equal in importance to weights or endurance work.

“It’s the power of the mind to block things out of the mind and perform under pressure,” said Ricciuto.

The Crows stare during the anthem during the 2017 AFL Grand Final at the MCG. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Collective Mind was also credited with developing the “Crows stare” national anthem routine during last year’s finals series.

Walker revealed the Crows’ main training session on Tuesday would determine whether he would front against the Tigers in Thursday night’s grand final rematch at Adelaide Oval.

Walker has missed most the pre-season with a plantar fascia strain.

“We have our main session today so if I get through that I will play,” Walker said, with Tom Lynch also out to prove his fitness.

“If Pykey wants to pick me I will be ready to play.

“Lynch and I will have to get through today but Riley Knight is a week away. Wayne Milera is a chance.”

Adelaide lost its season opener against Essendon at Etihad Stadium despite being 20 points up in the final term

“It was a bit disappointing for us, we were a bit off in areas of our contest, weren’t able to slow them down as they were a bit quick. We were disappointed we weren’t able to finish them off,” Walker said.

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