Adelaide to trial key forward Taylor Walker on wing in pre-season matches
It seemed “wishful” when Taylor Walker floated the idea, but new Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks will give the key forward a chance to prove he can become a weapon on a wing.
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Adelaide is set to grant Taylor Walker his wish to be unleashed on a wing.
The Crows are set to trial the 29-year-old as a wingman in pre-season, an move the veteran conceded was “wishful thinking” in November.
But the idea is set to come to fruition and new coach Matthew Nicks believes Walker’s kicking efficiency (career average 60.6 per cent) will make him a weapon playing further afield.
“Tex has put himself on a wing. He thinks he’s playing wing. That was more his move,” Nicks said.
“We haven’t seen a lot of it yet but we’ll probably have a look this weekend.
“Everyone has a smile and a bit of a laugh when he talks about it, but he can play a wing.
“I have watched him do it and he’s in good nick.”
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Walker has been one of the most successful forwards in Adelaide history, ranking second for career goals (426) behind Tony Modra (440).
He was the club’s leading goalkicker last season with 43, six ahead of Eddie Betts who has been traded to Carlton.
“It was probably a bit of tongue in cheek to start with but then when you look through it, the game is changing slightly,” Nicks said.
“He’s up and about. He’s had an amazing off-season so he’s moving as well as any of our boys.
“He delivers the ball as well as anyone inside 50 by foot. There were a few years there where we were studying Adelaide and he was outstanding.
“I think (Scott) Pendlebury might have just pipped him at the moment for one of the best inside-50 kicks in the game.
“It’d be nice to have him on a wing being able to go to a one-on-one if you needed then watch him turn and hit a key forward.”
Josh Jenkins was also traded to Geelong, with Darcy Fogarty, Elliott Himmelberg and Billy Frampton vying for the key posts in a revamped attack.
Nicks told SEN Bryce Gibbs would get a new lease on life as a halfback, while Brodie Smith was “ready for more midfield time”.
Originally published as Adelaide to trial key forward Taylor Walker on wing in pre-season matches