Veteran Scott Thompson still has big role to play at Adelaide, despite comeback match struggles, says captain Taylor Walker

ADELAIDE captain Taylor Walker insists veteran midfielder Scott Thompson hasn't played his last AFL match despite having just 10 disposals in his comeback game.

GREAT SCOTT: Crows veteran Scott Thompson struggled in his return game against the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Sarah Reed.

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ADELAIDE captain Taylor Walker insists veteran midfielder Scott Thompson hasn’t played his last AFL match, despite admitting the game has changed during his 293-day absence from the side.

Thompson, 34, struggled for just 10 disposals in his comeback match against premiers Western Bulldogs last Friday night but Walker says he still has a vital role to play for the Crows as they chase their first premiership since 1998.

“He’ll definitely feature again, I’ve got no doubt about it,’’ Walker said after 308-game Thompson played his first match since last year’s semi-final loss to Sydney at the SCG.

“It was so good having him back, he just adds so much leadership.

“He didn’t get as much of the ball as he’s used to but anyone having 15 games out of the AFL system, well, it’s a bit tough to find the footy because the game’s probably changed a bit since he last played.’’

Walker said Thompson’s value to the side went beyond the raw statistics and added that with his experience and strong body he could play a valuable role in helping midfield sidekick Rory Sloane shake the tag of former Crows’ teammate Bernie Vince against Melbourne in Darwin on Saturday night.

Sloane escaped a tag against the Bulldogs and shone with 24 disposals, five clearances, eight inside 50s and a goal.

But Walker concedes Vince, who blanketed Sloane in the Demons’ shock 41-point win at Adelaide Oval in round eight, will get the stopping job on him again this week.

“Sloaney was back (against the Dogs), they didn’t want to tag him but this week I’m sure he will draw his old mate Bernie Vince, who will go hard at him again,’’ Walker said.

The Crows skipper said his team “owes’’ Melbourne one after being shockingly upset at home two months ago.

Walker said agile forward Tom Lynch, who has missed two games with viral meningitis, will try to prove his fitness at the club’s main training session on Wednesday but that the hot conditions in Darwin could tell against him.

“Historically people with red hair don’t go well in the heat, let alone coming off viral meningitis, so it will be interesting to see what happens there,’’ he told Triple M of a decision on Lynch’s fitness.

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