AFL 2024: All the latest Adelaide Crows news heading into round 22

The future of the Crows’ oldest player is a major talking point as the 2024 season nears a conclusion. And Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks knows where he wants Taylor Walker to be in 2025.

Izak Rankine has extended his deal at the Crows. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Matthew Nicks says he wants veteran Taylor Walker to play next season.

And the Adelaide coach has revealed he chatted to Dan Curtin about his reasons for leaving him on the bench for all but seven minutes of last week’s loss to Geelong.

The future of the Crows’ oldest player and development of its top draft pick from last year are two major talking points as the club prepares for its final three matches of 2024.

Walker, 34, is coming out of contract at and has been weighing up whether to extend his 276-game career into another season.

Adelaide not announcing a farewell for its all-time leading goalkicker ahead of its last home game of the year against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday may be an indicator he is playing on.

Curtin, 19, is yet to feature in a full AFL game in four appearances, getting subbed off twice and, over the past fortnight, coming on late as the substitute.

Asked about Walker’s future, Nicks said: “I would love Tex to play on”.

Matthew Nicks says he wants Taylor Walker to stay. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“He and I are just talking through that now and what does that look like, and does he feel like he’s able to do that?”

Nicks said he and Walker were “very much aligned about where to from here”.

“It’s not a decision that’s been necessarily locked away yet,” he said.

“Taylor’s a superstar of our footy club and one of the stars of the competition so I’ve spoken about when the time comes – and we’re not necessarily saying it’s now – let’s make sure it’s a celebration and you can go out and look back on a career you should be proud of.”

Nicks acknowledged playing Curtin for so little of last week’s match against the Cats required some explaining to the defender.

“The weekend would have been a tough one for him so we make sure there’s a follow-up conversation around that in the moment around why we made that decision,” Nicks said.

“But he’s a mature kid when it comes to that off-field stuff and where he’s at from a career point of view.

“We’re right at the start of what we believe will be a long footy career so there’s no panic here.”

Curtin has not been a regular in his first season at the Crows. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Nicks said Curtin would stay in the side against Hawthorn but would not reveal if he would remain as the substitute.

“I know everyone will be looking saying ‘gee, I hope he gets a little more time’,” he said.

Nicks said the club was positive about the West Australian’s progress.

“A key defender, probably one of the toughest position to play in the game, we’re mindful of what we’ve seen and the history of what we’ve seen in that positions for high draft picks,” he said of Curtin, who was taken at No. 8 last November.

“Those guys took a number of years to develop and (some) are now the best players in the game when it comes to that position.

“He’s going really well.”

RANKINE RECOMMITS AFTER STRONG 2024 SEASON

Adelaide has rewarded Izak Rankine for his standout season, adding another two years to his contract.

The speedy forward turned midfielder was already tied to the Crows for one more season, before extending his deal until the end of 2027 on Thursday.

Rankine has been one of Adelaide’s best players this year, averaging 19 disposals and two goals per game while receiving extra on-ball time.

The 24-year-old is in his second campaign as a Crow after being lured back home to South Australia from Gold Coast.

“Since moving back home to Adelaide and playing for the Crows, I couldn’t be happier,” Rankine said.

Rankine has been a shining light in a tough year for the Crows. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Everyone has really embraced me and we’ve got such a good bunch of people, the players, coaches and staff.

“This season has definitely had its challenges but I know good things are ahead for us.”

Adelaide list manager Justin Reid said Rankine had taken his game to another level this season.

“In particular his ability to play up the ground and add another dimension to our midfield, and he is obviously an integral part of our team and future,” Reid said.

“Izak is an elite talent.”

Rankine left SA to start his AFL career at the Suns, who selected him at No. 3 in the 2018 national draft.

The Crows traded the fifth selection in 2022 as the centrepiece of a pick swap to secure the West Adelaide product.

Rankine has played 33 games in his two seasons at West Lakes.

He finished equal-fourth in the Crows’ best-and-fairest last year and should be on track for another high finish at the end of this campaign, as well as be in All-Australian contention.

Rankine was sidelined for the past four weeks while serving a rough conduct ban.

He is set to return to face Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

Crows coach Matthew Nicks said Rankine was excited to be back out on the field.

“The enthusiasm is probably at its highest for him – I don’t think he enjoys watching football but he loves playing the game,” Nicks said.

Originally published as AFL 2024: All the latest Adelaide Crows news heading into round 22