Walker a work in progress: Bicks
Assistant coach Mark Bickley turns up the heat on Taylor Walker after a quiet performance against Hawthorn last week
ADELAIDE assistant coach Mark Bickley has labelled Taylor Walker's four-possession return against Hawthorn last weekend as "clearly unacceptable".
The 21-year-old Walker had little impact in Sunday's 56-point loss to the Hawks, failing to kick a goal and recording just a handful of touches despite spending 95 per cent of the game on the ground.
"That was clearly unacceptable from Taylor, and he's well aware of that and he's very disappointed with it," Bickley said.
"That performance that he put up was far from being what's expected of him.
"He understands he needs to respond really strongly this week."
Bickley said the club and Walker had made strong progress to improve the young forward's consistency, adding that his performances throughout the NAB Cup and in the first two weeks of the season had showed development since last year.
"One thing I've spoken to Taylor about over a fairly long period of time is just narrowing the gap between his best and his worst," Bickley said.
"So far this year I think Taylor's been quite good at that … his poor games haven't been as poor as they were on the weekend."
While Walker kept his place in Adelaide's 22 for Saturday's clash with Greater Western Sydney, several other players were not as fortunate.
Tom Lynch was left out, despite performing admirably since he arrived at West Lakes from St Kilda.
Lynch was one of the Crows' best in the NAB Cup grand final and had kicked two goals when he was subbed off in the third quarter against the Hawks.
"With Shaun McKernan coming in we wanted that extra tall and unfortunately for 'Lynchy' he gets squeezed out," Bickley said.
"We've been really happy with the way 'Lynchy's' been going since he's come to the club.
"He's someone who's diligent, works really hard and I've no doubt he'll go back, play really well and come back at some stage this year."
Sam Kerridge was also omitted after debuting for the Crows last weekend.
Sanderson had admitted Kerridge was given little opportunity last weekend and that it was tough for him to make his AFL debut as the sub.
Sam Shaw will play his first game for the club against the Giants, after being drafted with pick no. 45 at the 2009 NAB AFL Draft.
Shaw had been forced to ply his trade at SANFL level with Glenelg, but an impressive start to the season saw him brought into the side for the first time.
Matthew Wright and Matthew Jaensch have also been included in the line-up, while Andy Otten and Graham Johncock were the other omissions.
Harry Thring covers Adelaide news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.