Kane Cornes urges Adelaide Crows to be ruthless and de-list Taylor Walker

Kane Cornes has urged the Crows to cut ties with Tex Walker - saying the club needs to be “ruthless” at the end of the season. What do you think? Vote in our poll.

Kane Cornes has urged Adelaide to dump one of its most beloved players, saying the club needs to be “ruthless” in this upcoming off-season.

Writing for Nine Entertainment, Cornes said all-Australian Taylor Walker’s dream of being a one-club player with the Crows needed to be “brought to an end” by senior coach Matthew Nicks.

“Nicks needs to make a tough call. So does Walker,” Cornes wrote.

“Last year we were told Walker was willing to finish his career at another AFL club if Adelaide chose not to re-sign him – once again, there is this image of the Walker camp loading the agenda to pressure Adelaide into talks on a new deal. The Crows should stare down Walker’s threats and inform him that this season will be his last at their club.

“Adelaide must also consider the stagnation of the team’s younger key forwards when playing alongside Walker. Adelaide needs to learn from its mistakes by being ruthless and prioritising the development of its young forwards rather than fall for the sentimentality of appeasing a club great.”

Kane Cornes has urged Adelaide to cut ties with Taylor Walker. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Kane Cornes has urged Adelaide to cut ties with Taylor Walker. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

After kicking 76 goals last season and earning his maiden all-Australian blazer, Walker has regressed to just 17 goals in 11 games this year.

Meanwhile, the Crows have slumped to 15th on the ladder following just one win from their past six games.

Cornes also said that when deciding on the fan favourite’s future, the Crows needed to look no further than Geelong’s decision to keep hold of veteran forward Tom Hawkins for another season.

“The Cats’ decision to let their future Hall of Famer Hawkins play at 35 has not paid off,” he wrote.

“Hawkins’ statistics this season are similar to Walker. He has managed just 15 goals from 12 games, has been easily beaten by younger, more athletic opponents and now faces a long-term injury that may sadly end his year.”

Cornes said his stance wasn’t coming from his history of feuding with Walker.

“I have received prank calls and abusive texts from his phone, and he has stated on radio how much he despises me. I have been a strong critic, calling out his attack on the ball on the field and, off the field, his racist remark in 2021 and the handling of that incident. This is not about any personal agenda.

“His personal interest, public pressure and desire to keep playing should not come at the detriment of the team.”

Originally published as Kane Cornes urges Adelaide Crows to be ruthless and de-list Taylor Walker