Showdown 54 Adelaide v Port Adelaide: All the AFL news ahead of Saturday night blockbuster

Taylor Walker has been telling his wife that each year will be his last for the past three years. After signing on for 2024, he’ll likely say it again next year, but don’t rule him out to go on.

Once again Taylor Walker will tell his wife Ellie that he reckons the upcoming season will be his last year as an AFL footballer.

But after continuing his late-career renaissance the Crows great will go around for at least another year after he signed a one-year contract extension at West Lakes.

“To be honest I literally thought this was going to be my last year at the start of the year,” he said.

“I was telling my wife and she was pretty much laughing at me saying I’ve been saying that for the last three or four years.

Taylor Walker with his wife Ellie and kids prior to his 250th game in June this year. Picture: Emma Brasier.

“But to be able to perform that was my biggest worry but I have been able to do that, so that tells me I can continue to play at the highest level and the moment I stop performing it starts to look like the end.”

And he’s flagging at the start of 2024, he will have the same conversation with Ellie.

“I probably will tell her (that 2024 is his last year),” he said.

“She gets sick of me every week, “what’s sore this week?” but that is part and parcel of it.

“She is an amazing human who has supported me immensely in my career.”

At 33, Walker isn’t just performing at the highest level he is on track for one of his best ever seasons, with 54 goals so far in 2023.

This has him sitting second in the Coleman Medal race, although Walker isn’t giving too much thought.

“It would be nice, but that is an individual award that doesn’t worry me too much to be honest,” he said.

The stunning season by Walker comes just years after his place in the Crows team and his future at the club was questioned.

Since 2021 Walker has been able to return to his status as one of the best key forwards in the competition.

Taylor Walker is in career best form and has signed on for 2024. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / Emma Brasier

He said this was down to him finding out what works for his body.

“I still have the fire in the belly and the passion to play so continuing to play at the highest level and be able to perform has been a massive tick for me,” he said.

“Being able to be proactive with my body, sometimes as stubborn as I can be, you try and grind your way through it.

“But you need to find out what works for your body, I’ve been able to learn a lot about my body over the past four to five years and the program that Burgo (Darren Burgess) has been able to implement and what Hassy (Matt) was able to do and Josh Manuel as the weights coach have been able to do for me.”

Walker said becoming a father to children Hugo, Louis and Hattie had helped change his perspective in footy and given him plenty of enthusiasm.

“I joke that I leave my kids at home and I come here and have to look after some other kids in Luke Pedlar and Harry Schoenberg,” he said.

Tex to play ‘crucial’ role in Crows’ future after signing new deal

Adelaide’s all-time leading goalkicker Taylor Walker has signed on for a 17th season at West Lakes.

The Crows announced on Tuesday that Walker had signed a one-year contract extension, and will play on in 2024.

The 33-year-old has continued his late-career renaissance in 2023, currently sitting second on the Coleman Medal leaderboard.

Adelaide list manager Justin Reid said the former club captain was performing at a high level and was playing a crucial role in the development of the Crows’ young players.

Taylor Walker booted three final-quarter goals against Melbourne on Sunday. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“The impact Taylor continues to have on our group is significant, not just with the football he is playing which is evident, but the leadership and direction he provides on and off the field,” Reid said.

“That he remains one of the best forwards in the competition at his age is a credit to his attitude and work ethic and standards he sets at training and on game day.”

Walker said he was enjoying his footy as much as ever.

“I have loved the journey so far and this year getting back to playing some really exciting footy as a team,” Walker said.

“On a personal level I’m pleased to be able to contribute to the team and I take a lot of pride and satisfaction in helping our younger players who are starting out their own careers.

“You can see from the footy we’ve played this year that we’re heading in the right direction and hopefully we get reward for that in the near future.”

Could this be the most season-defining Showdown ever?

Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson says a loss in the Showdown could spell the end for the Crows’ finals hopes.

Saturday night’s clash has even more at stake than a regular Showdown, with the result set to be a key factor in where the two rivals finish on the ladder.

After three losses in a row, the Crows are sitting in 13th and are sixth points off Geelong in eighth and two wins off the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and GWS.

Dawson said it was basically a must-win game when it comes to the club’s finals hopes, which are getting slimmer by the week.

Jordan Dawson and Ollie Wines face the media ahead of Showdown 54. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“I think so yeah, there are a lot of teams around that top eight that are pushing,” he said.

“We know the reality is that we have to win, we want to make finals so we have to make sure we win and go from there.”

The latest loss for the Crows came at the hands of Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.

Dawson said the four-point loss almost summed up Adelaide’s season.

“It has been the story of our year really, we have been competitive and within a couple of kicks of a lot of teams but we haven’t been able to get it done,” he said.

“But there are definitely a lot of positives out of yesterday.”

The skipper said the inability to convert their chances again hurt.

“You put yourself on the back foot early with inaccuracy and they took their chances,” he said.

“It has a lot to do with the inexperience I think, but we have got experience this year being so close.

“We are wanting to get better and we are learning … we have to be better in those moments to get the win.”

Dawson almost got his side over the line on Sunday. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos

Wines says the Power isn’t worried about its spot in the top-two. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

The Power also head into Showdown 54 looking for a win after two losses in a row.

This means Brisbane is now just one win off the Power’s spot in the top two, and with a far superior percentage.

But Power vice-captain Ollie Wines said his side wasn’t focusing on that.

“I think we control what we can control and at the moment we are focused on playing good consistent footy,” he said.

“At the moment we aren’t thinking about the outcomes for other teams, that is not coming into our planning so at the moment we want to consolidate our position and we will look to do that at every opportunity.”

Originally published as Showdown 54 Adelaide v Port Adelaide: All the AFL news ahead of Saturday night blockbuster