Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks drops massive clue on Taylor Walker’s future

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has dropped a massive hint on whether he wants Taylor Walker playing for the Crows next season.

Adelaide Crows forward Taylor Walker speaks to the media during a press conference. Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images.

Adelaide Crows coach Matthew Nicks has made a clear indication that he wants veteran forward Taylor Walker playing for the club next season.

Walker was in attendance at an SANFL game between the Crows and North Adelaide when he directed a slur towards North Adelaide’s Robbie Young.

An Adelaide Crows official overheard Walker’s comment and reported the incident to the club, who then reported it to the AFL.

Walker was subsequently suspended for the remainder of the 2021 season and the opening three games of the 2022 premiership.

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The 31-year-old got permission from the playing group to attend the Crows Club Champion night on Sunday, where he collected the leading goalkicking award for his 48 majors.

As reported by The Advertiser, Walker received the biggest applause of the evening at Adelaide Convention Centre, with some attendees even wolf-whistling the former captain.

Later in the evening, Nicks suggested that he wanted to see Walker representing the club in 2022 during his address.

“We will need all four of you next year,” he said while paying tribute to career-best seasons by Walker, Rory Laird, Ben Keays and Paul Seedsman.

Crows midfielder Rory Laird claimed his second Malcolm Blight Medal having averaged 32 disposals, 6.8 clearances and just under six tackles per game this season.

Walker finished fourth on the vote tally.

Taylor Walker attending the event with wife Ellie. Picture: Matt Loxton.

Speaking to the media for the first time last week, Walker apologised and declared he would do whatever it takes to educate himself further on why his slur was hurtful.

“I’d just like to say a huge sorry to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people for the pain and hurt I’ve caused,” he said.

“It’s been tough for everyone involved. I’m just so remorseful for everything I’ve said.

“I’ve got great relationships with some Indigenous people and I’ve apologised.

“For me now, I want to be judged from what I do from here on.”

One Indigenous AFL player Walker has a relationship with is the recently retired Eddie Betts.

Betts and Walker enjoyed a spell together at the Crows, and the latter noted just how much damage he has caused to Betts and the wider Indigenous community.

“I’ve got some work to do,” Walker said.

“I’ve hurt him (Betts), his family and the rest of the Indigenous community, so I have to fix that.

“I’m ashamed that what I’ve done has caused so much pain.

“It’s now up to me to repair the relationship and reconcile and get some more education for myself, because clearly I’m not at that level.”

– with Alex Conrad, NCA NewsWire

Originally published as Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks drops massive clue on Taylor Walker’s future