Adelaide forward Taylor Walker expects Senior Coach Matthew Nicks to have a few “selection headaches” ahead of the Crows’ Round One match against St Kilda at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
The Crows will open their 2025 campaign this weekend following four months of a gruelling pre-season, and with new recruits plus a relatively healthy list, Walker says there is a real selection squeeze.
“It (our Round One team) is going to give Nicksy and the coaching staff a few headaches that’s for sure,” Walker said on Triple M Adelaide Breakfast with Roo, Ditts and Loz.
“You’d think three or four players might be a chance to make their debut for the Club, we’ve got our main session on Thursday so we’ll know more then, but I’d say those boys (Neal-Bullen, Cumming, Peatling and Draper) would be a good chance to play.
“We did a good review yesterday on how many people have completed pre-season, and the numbers were pretty crazy, and showed that this was the best pre-season we have completed as a group in the past four or five years.
“It’s put us in a great position to launch in 2025, but in saying that, just because you’ve had a healthy pre-season doesn’t necessarily mean you will have a good season. We’re looking forward to it and looking forward to competing against some really good sides this year.”
The match against the Saints starts at 12.05pm - the earliest time-slot of Walker’s career.
The 34-year-old said the earlier start would slightly change his pre-game preparation.
“I haven’t had a game start this early since I was playing reserves at Norwood or back in Broken Hill, so it (starting at 12.05pm) is going to be a little bit different,” Walker said.
“(With the early starts) some boys like to get up a bit earlier and get their full routine in, while others will sleep in until right before they have to leave for the game, so each to their own.
“This weekend I’ll get up at around 8am and have a bit of breakfast, and then have a smoothie as late as I can right before I leave for the ground - depending on how nervous I am - I don't like to eat heaps before a game.”
The Crows will be looking to secure their first winning start to a season since 2021 and Walker was expecting a tough contest.
“We’re really looking forward to taking on the Saints, we finally get to go up against opposition for four points,” Walker said.
“They’re a very good side, the Saints, they are a high-pressure side and have some really good players coming off half-back in Sinclair and Wanganeen-Milera, along with some good mids we will have to stop.
“It’s going to be a really good contest on Sunday afternoon and we can’t wait to get into it.”
Walker will also have an added bit of pressure, with a cheeky promise he is set to make to his sons Hugo and Louis.
“Usually I’ll say to the boys before I go and play how many goals do you want Dad to kick, and every time they come back with 10,” Walker said.
“So there’s a bit for me to live up to there from the boys.”
The Crows take on the Saints at Adelaide Oval on Sunday at 12.05pm.
Tickets available here.
