But the AFL should have gone far harder — it certainly has in the past with fans found guilty of racist abuse — on a day of great embarrassment for the code.
An age-old scourge has emerged in a season of celebration for Indigenous greats who have shaped the AFL.
Sydney superstar Lance Franklin is now within range of becoming the first Indigenous player to kick 1000 goals. Hawk Shaun Burgoyne recently reached the remarkable 400 game milestone.
That a peer of Walker’s stature would use a slur directed towards former St Kilda player Robbie Young in a SANFL match on July 17 comes as the AFL continues to deal with a racism problem.
With his disgrace confirmed, the former Adelaide captain has been banned for six weeks, will also donate $20,000 to an Indigenous cause, must undergo an education course and address his teammates.
There is bewilderment about the actions of a man who defended Eddie Betts, among the finest Indigenous footballers to play, when he was the subject of abhorrent racist abuse.
That Walker felt comfortable in the surrounding of teammates and officials — one who showed great courage to report him — when making a racist comment raises questions about the progress made in footy.
The mishandling of the crowd behaviour that forced Adam Goodes from football prompted considerable self-reflection among administrators including AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan.
It still stings. As does Collingwood’s admission in February that systemic racism occurred at the club when releasing the Do Better report following a lengthy protest from Heritier Lumumba.
McLachlan said on Friday he believed the punishment of Walker was suitable in the circumstances, though he conceded others might disagree.
“Others will have a view, but it is acceptable to the other parties (involved), it is acceptable to the AFL and I do think it is a pretty strong set of accountabilities,” he said.
“We will all have our views about whether it is right, wrong or indifferent, but (missing) a third of the season, a $20,000 (penalty) and a series of other actions is up there with anything that happens with physical actions on the field and I think it is a strong statement.”
It is indisputable steps forward have been taken in recent decades. They needed to be.
That an Adelaide official felt he must report Walker is an indication there is some confidence in the process the AFL have introduced under the Peek Rule.
But given the AFL banned a fan for two years for racist social media abuse towards Liam Ryan, a six week suspension for a man supposed to be a leader of the game is clearly at the lenient end of the scale.
As for progress? Western Bulldog Justin Sherman was banned for four weeks for abusing Joel Wilkinson, whose anger and anxiety about his broader treatment continues, in 2011.
It is now 22 years since former Saint and Hawk Peter Everitt was banned for four weeks and issued with a $22,000 fine for abusing Scott Chisholm, who said in 2018 he still feels great pain.
The suspension of Walker, a veteran player of prominence and great achievement, is only two weeks longer than those examples. And the damage caused by past examples clearly lasted far, far longer.
Setting an example is important. Is there a magic number? Would 12 weeks make a difference? Or a season?
It is acknowledged behaviour which occurs in the AFL filters down to lower leagues, hence the reliance of setting a standard for the better.
A fortnight before Walker’s failure, suburban Melbourne player Kain Proctor believes he was called an “abo dog” in a match.
He told the ABC he wants the words used when discussing his story because they are so shocking.
There is considerable angst about the case that saw the alleged perpetrator cleared by a Northern Football League Tribunal despite corroborating evidence from a teammate of Proctor.
Amid acrimony and considerable hurt, the NFL is reviewing its discrimination policy. And it is not the only example of angst in lower leagues in recent times.
Every week, it alarmingly seems, clubs release social media statements decrying the blatant abuse directed towards their players on social media. It happens in all codes.
Walker is ashamed of his actions. He said he now has a “deeper understanding of the hurt that he has caused” and has promised to back up his apology with his actions.
Education is clearly a crucial step. But so too is deterrence. Examples are important. A longer ban was warranted.
It can only be hoped six weeks might stop someone else from an insensitive comment that can cause pain for decades.
The AFL has released a public statement on behalf of the parties to a conciliation convened under the AFL Rule 35 Peek Rule (Discrimination and Racial and Religious Vilification).https://t.co/pSe8bf3LfJ
— AFL (@AFL) August 5, 2021
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The AFL had to act strongly and decisively in punishing Taylor Walker for his shameful use of racist language and the condemnation of the Adelaide forward is widespread.