ADELAIDE veteran Taylor Walker will extend his AFL career next season after signing a one-year contract extension with the Crows.
The 32-year-old Walker has returned from a six-game racism ban to remain Adelaide’s most influential attacker this season.
The club’s all-time leading goalkicker considered his future after being suspended for making a racist remark at a state league match last August.
Walker opted to play on this season and since returning in round four has kicked 31 goals in a dozen games.
The 232-gamer and former Crows captain says he’s thrilled to sign on for next season.
“This means a lot to me that I am going to be a Crow for life,” Walker said in a statement on Tuesday.
“As one of the older blokes going around I am also very proud that I can still contribute both on and off the field.”
After being beaten grand finalists in 2017, the Crows will miss the finals for a fifth consecutive season.
“While it has been a difficult period for our club on the field, I get a real buzz from helping the younger guys improve and we are making progress,” Walker said.
“We all want to get back up the ladder as quickly as possible and I know some of our members and fans are finding these times frustrating.
“We can’t lose sight of the bigger picture though and we have been able to match it with teams that will be challenging for the flag for lengthy periods this season.”
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said Walker’s on-field feats and off-field leadership remain vital to the club.
“Taylor sets an example for our young players in how to prepare and perform on game day and to be playing the type of footy he is into his 30s is a credit to him,” Nicks said in a statement.
“In addition to regularly hitting the scoreboard, his experience in helping develop and guide our next generation of forwards is invaluable and can never be underestimated.”
(C) AAP 2022
