Adelaide star Taylor Walker has announced that he will retire at the end of the AFL season, expressing that while he does not need a premiership to find fulfillment in his career, he would certainly treasure one. The 36-year-old made this decision after experiencing an emotional moment at 3 a.m. last Wednesday.
“The closer I have got to the end, it has probably become a little bit more evident that it might be this year – but I have treated it like my last year for the past six years,” Walker shared with reporters on Monday.
“I knew it was the right time for me and the football club.”
Walker will retire as the all-time leading goalkicker for Adelaide, having scored 706 goals from 316 games thus far, and is regarded as a beloved figure within the club he supported as a child in Broken Hill.
“I came here as a 75 kilo – that’s pretty generous, being 75 kilos – blonde tips in my hair, quite a skinny kid from Broken Hill,” he recalled, reflecting on his arrival after being drafted in 2007. “I’d love a premiership, I’d love a medal around my neck,”
Though he is preparing for another finals campaign in what will be his final season, Walker believes that he does not need to win a premiership title to feel satisfied with his achievements.
“However… if we can look each other in the eye at the end of whenever we finish and say that we had a crack and we had a swing at trying to win the premiership, then I’ll be fully content with what we’ve been able to achieve.” he stated. “I probably didn’t believe that I could could do it,”
Leadership and Challenges
Having served as Adelaide’s captain, Walker was recognized as the AFL’s best skipper in 2016 and 2017, the latter being the year he participated in the Crows’ losing grand final. He was appointed captain by coach Phil Walsh in 2015, a role he initially hesitated to accept.
“Through a very challenging time, you have just probably got to focus on what you can do,” he remarked.
Tragically, Walsh passed away during the 2015 season, following a violent incident involving his son. Walker’s leadership during this difficult period received widespread praise.
“And it wasn’t just me, we had some incredible leaders. “We just gelled together and picked everyone up, and almost had to just get on with the task because we know one of Walshy’s favourite sayings was ‘just get the job done’. “And if he was looking down, I reckon he would have been incredibly proud of what we’re able to do through that really challenging time for [Walsh’s wife] Meredith and her family.” he explained. “That was an incredibly difficult time for my family and I,”
“The biggest thing that I learnt was that words don’t just hurt one person, they can hurt so many different people. “I feel like I’m a better person for that mistake that I made. It’s one thing that I wish never happened, but also I feel like I’m in a position that I’m better for it.”
“I can’t wait to sit on the hill and have a beer and watch them light up Adelaide Oval,”
Controversies and Future Plans
Walker’s career faced a significant hurdle in August 2021 when he was suspended for six games by the AFL due to a racist comment directed at a teammate during a state league game.
“That was an incredibly difficult time for my family and I,” he admitted. “The biggest thing that I learnt was that words don’t just hurt one person, they can hurt so many different people.”
“I feel like I’m a better person for that mistake that I made. It’s one thing that I wish never happened, but also I feel like I’m in a position that I’m better for it.”
Looking ahead to next year, while coaching has some appeal, Walker plans to play with friends in Broken Hill and enjoy watching the Crows.
“I can’t wait to sit on the hill and have a beer and watch them light up Adelaide Oval,” he expressed.
Reflections on a Career
As Walker prepares to conclude his playing days, he reflects on the journey that has shaped his career. His contributions to the club and the sport have left a lasting impact, and he hopes to continue being involved in football in some capacity.
“I’ve loved every moment of it, and I’m grateful for the experiences and the people I’ve met along the way,” he concluded.
