Player Interview: One on one with Taylor Walker
Barrier Daily Truth correspondent Peter Argent chatted with Adelaide’s Number 13, premier Broken Hill football export Taylor Walker as he enters his 13th season in AFL ranks.
All photos © of Peter Argent.
Playing for NSW/ACT Rams
A North Broken Hill junior and A grade premiership player in 2007, the same season he also collected All –Australian Under 18s honours for the NSW/ACT Rams, Walker explained there were many fond memories from that period that will stay with him forever, after a satisfying first period of his football life in the Silver City.
“These days that feels so long ago, but we had many enjoyable times,” Walker smiled.
Taylor walker Norwood – 2008
“Whenever I finish at the Crows, whenever that is, it is high on my priority list to come back home and play football with the Bulldogs.
“There were a couple of my team mates from those days that would have liked me to have finished last year, as they are just hanging on by a thread.
“But I’d like to go back for a year or two, depending on what commitments I have.
“I’ll certainly come home for a few games and play with my mates at a minimum.”
Walker also explained that he hadn’t been back home to the Silver City since the New year period of 2109-2020, so he hadn’t been home in close to 16 months.
He’s hoping between the Community Series game and the start of the AFL campaign to spend a couple of days in Broken Hill, where his mother Marg still lives.
After the frustrations of 2020 on a number of levels, Walker has set himself up to start well in the 2021 campaign.
“I haven’t missed a beat so far,” Walker, explained as he chatted on the way to a 7.00am training.
“My pre-season preparation has been a lot better than I was able to have over the previous couple of years.
“Especially as you become a more senior player, the benefits of a strong pre-season are more critical.”
When discussing opportunities for the season ahead, Walker pointed to the challenges of finding a structure in attack that works for the Adelaide Football Club.
“It’s a competitive environment at the moment,” he said.
“When have a number of exciting talents vying for places.
“Players to watch include Billy Frampton, young Jimmy Rowe and Darcy Fogerty has enjoyed a strong pre-season, while Shane McAdam certainly has that X-factor, so there is certainly plenty of competition for spots.”
Adelaide played cross town rival Port in both AFL and SANFL trials last weekend, and again back up against each other in the AMMI Community series at Noarlunga Oval this Sunday, March 7.
“It this day and age, you just take each game as it comes, and you understand why the AFL have limited the travel during the pre-season,” Walker confirmed.
“We still love to play Port Adelaide, especially for premiership points.”
Walker also explained the new rule change when standing on the mark, like a “Tin Soldier”, will frustrate the footy fan immensely.
“‘50 metres’ is a massive penalty, for simply moving at all,” Walker challenged.
“It will frustrate the hell out of the fan and it has been difficult for players to tweak.
“I suspect that by four to five games into the season, that rule will be adjusted.”
He called his senior coach Matthew Nicks, a person with a strong belief in his structured and with a raft of new assistants including the experienced Scott Burns, former team mate Nathan Van Berlo and James Rahilly in support, the club is on an upward trend.
Away from football Walker has played a bit of Twenty20 cricket for Prince Alfred College Old Scholars over the last couple of summers and plays golf off a handicap in the early teens.
Post playing days he looks forward to play basketball and participate on skiing trips.
For now, the 30-year-old (he turns 31 on April 25) primary focus is to add to his 203 games and 441 goals in Adelaide’s tri-colours, which started back in round 1, 2008 against Collingwood.
The Crows start their 2021 campaign on Saturday, March 20 in the 4.05pm clash against the 2020 Grand Finalists Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval.
For more from Peter Argent, click HERE.
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I really hope Taylor has a great year and lifts the Crows as well. Peter, I’m just trying to work out where the second photo (N v PA) was taken. It has thrown me a bit.
Hi Daryl – the final where Tex kicked seven goals at Adelaide Oval – 2008
Good interview Peter. Gee, we mark our centre-half forwards harshly. While Walker’s not a Carey his best has been pretty handy. His prodigious kicking for goal, and also his passing on the move, both left and right foot, have been special to watch.
I have been a huge taylor Walker fan from the very first time I saw him play at Norwood all those years ago. A damaging kick with either foot, he was very deadly around goals. That is why I have been frustrated with him being stationed at centre half forward and often seeing him take a mark in defence and hasn’t got himself to kick it to in the forward area, I believe his game has been wasted by playing him too far from goal. I would play him at either full forward or a forward pocket where he would be in position to do what he does best – kick goals. I have high hopes for him this season.
Son of a Gun.
Whacky one of the all-time greats of broken Hill footy.
Interested to see where Tex says he’d like to go back to the Hill to play for Norths: I’d like to see that!
Can you please interview him every week Peter.
He was pretty special yesterday gentlemen !!!
a match winner
Just as i hoped, the real Taylor Walker stood tall for all to see yesterday. Having the ball delivered correctly also can make a big difference. Let’s hope he can continue, or even improve, on that vein.