Crows coach slams Taylor Walker for ‘unacceptable’ racial slur as star forward is banned for six matches by the AFL
As difficult as it will be, Crows coach Matthew Nicks believes the club can reintegrate Taylor Walker. But, for now, says supporting others is far more important.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An emotional Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks says the club can reintegrate Taylor Walker after his racial vilification ban but has stopped short of guaranteeing he will be back in 2022.
Instead, Nicks says the Crows’ first priority is the wellbeing of their people and the wider Indigenous community.
The AFL on Friday suspended Walker for six games for making a racial slur about North Adelaide’s Robbie Young at a SANFL match at Prospect Oval last month.
A Crows official reported the former captain to the club after he heard him vilify Young at a quarter-time huddle and Adelaide notified the AFL about the matter.
Nicks said he was shocked, disappointed and angry on Wednesday when he heard of Walker’s indiscretion via social media, then notified by the league on Thursday.
He said bringing the 31-year-old, who was not considered for Saturday night’s Showdown, back in the fold would be difficult but was possible and the two parties would give each other space.
Watch The 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
Walker has been in All-Australian form this season, kicking 48 goals from 17 games, and is contracted until the end of next year.
“I don’t think Tex quite understands or knows why what came out of his mouth did come out,” said Nicks, who spoke to Walker over the phone on Thursday.
“I listened and since that time I’ve offered support but for me, more importantly, support is needed elsewhere at this point.
“Our playing group, our staff, the wider community, the Indigenous community — there’s a lot of people who have been hurt by this.
“We’ll sit down with Taylor in time as we work through this and we’ll work out what’s best for all of our people and Taylor.
“Part of the human side to it is people make mistakes and we’ll work our way through that, but I can’t tell you how long that’ll take.”
Walker apologised to the club, including its four Indigenous players, on Friday but did not face the media.
Nicks was hopeful the fallout would not fracture the team, saying he would do what he could to make sure it “stayed tight”.
WATCH A REPLAY OF THE CROWS PRESS CONFERENCE
He said there was no excuse for Walker’s slur because AFL players received more education on racism than the rest of society.
Nicks said there was varied anger among the club’s Indigenous quartet: Wayne Milera, Ben Davis, Shane McAdam and Tariek Newchurch.
“Some of them have gone through experiences through their lifetime that they’d like to forget but unfortunately they’re scarred in their minds and are triggered when incidents like this happen,” he said.
Nicks revealed he reached out to former Sydney teammates Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin, not only to apologise, but to discuss learnings from the situation.
The Crows coach began welling up when he spoke about talking to the Indigenous superstars, who remained close friends.
“It’s times like this you make phone calls to people you played alongside, you apologise to them and you want to look them in the eye and say ‘we’ve got your back’,” he said.
“It’s hard to do at the moment.”
Walker met Young, the Crows official and the AFL on Thursday.
The 220-gamer’s sanction also included being made to donate $20,000 to an SA Indigenous program and undertaking education.
In a statement on Friday, Walker apologised to the Crows, Roosters, Young, the official and their families, saying he had caused deep hurt and there was no justification for what he said.
Walker said he was ashamed, embarrassed and remorseful.
“I want to be an active participant in addressing racism in our game and the wider community,” Walker said.
Walker is the first AFL player to be suspended for racial vilification since the Western Bulldogs’ Justin Sherman in 2011.
Sherman received a four-game ban for racially abusing Gold Coast’s Joel Wilkinson.
Wilkinson has claimed the AFL has not handled the incident correctly.
Crows chief executive Tim Silvers said Walker was an emotional wreck and would be in a position to speak publicly soon.
Silvers found out about the incident “not long after the SANFL game” and the investigation lasted two to three weeks.
He said the club had not yet discussed Walker’s future but he would like to think it was tenable for him to play on next year.
The suspension will sideline the Crows’ all-time leading goalkicker until Round 4 next year.
“He’s had a challenging period, he’s fronted the club, he’s owned the mistake,” Silvers said.
Silvers said the club had asked for AFL general manager of inclusion and social policy Tanya Hosch and former director of Port Adelaide’s Aboriginal programs Paul Vandenbergh to help it get through the tough period.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan told 3AW Taylor Walker’s comment was “completely unacceptable” and “has no place in our game and our community”.
Nicks, Silvers, McLachlan and Walker all praised the club official who reported Walker for his bravery and doing “exactly the right thing”.
North Adelaide president Andrew Souter said his club, which had one of the strongest representations of Indigenous players in the SANFL, was deeply disappointed at Walker’s comment and it fully supported Young.
CROWS BACK AFL SANCTIONS
Crows chief executive Tim Silvers said the club fully supports the sanctions handed down by the AFL.
“This incident should not have happened and we are sorry that it did, and we endorse and support the sanctions,” Silvers said in a statement.
“As a club, we also understand the impact this behaviour had on the people involved, their families and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
“The fact someone from inside our club called out the inappropriate comment made by an experienced and well-known player reflects the environment and culture we are trying to create.
“To use Taylor’s own words, he is embarrassed, ashamed and remorseful, and he has apologised. We will now provide him with the appropriate support.
“Everyone in society must work to stamp out racism and our players, coaches and staff are committed to taking a stand against this behaviour.”
Walker met the Crows’ Indigenous players before addressing the playing group and football staff on Friday.
The AFL said Walker would also be expected to front North Adelaide players to apologise.
AFL executive general manager of inclusion and social policy Tanya Hosch attended the conciliation meeting on Thursday and reinforced that racism had no place in football or the community.
“Racist actions and behaviours are inexcusable,” Hosch said in a statement on Friday.
“The AFL strongly condemns the racial vilification of our football community including our players, staff, and their families, across all levels of our game.
“I would like to acknowledge everyone involved in today’s conciliation process, especially the Adelaide official and Mr Young for calling out the behaviour and/or taking a stand against racism by their involvement in this process.
“I have no doubt Mr Walker is remorseful, understands that his comments can trigger trauma and seriously impact the mental health of the individuals, families and communities involved and he has accepted his sanctions.”
AFL Players Association chief Paul Marsh joined the AFL and the Crows in condemning racial vilification.
“Tex’s language was damaging and divisive, and there is no excuse for it. We are very clear on this — racism is abhorrent and there is no room for it in our game,” Marsh said.
“In my conversations with Tex, he has expressed his sincere and genuine remorse and has owned and apologised for his actions.
“Tex is committed to not only learning from this, but to also make a positive difference moving forward.
“We would like to acknowledge Robbie Young, and we have reached out to him to offer our support. We would also like to commend the Adelaide Crows official for his courage in tackling this issue.
“We hope that an outcome of this situation is that we take another step forward towards stamping out racism, both in our game and in society.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Crows coach slams Taylor Walker for ‘unacceptable’ racial slur as star forward is banned for six matches by the AFL
Group 9 RL: 20+ players to watch on grand final day
Group 9’s biggest day is upon us with five divisions in action at Wagga. We take a look at the 20+ players who can make an impact and lead their team to grand final glory.
Star breaks silence after fleeing country
A former Italian tennis star has spoken out as ugly allegations over why she and her family fled the country continue to emerge.