When Adelaide forward Taylor Walker runs out onto the MCG this Saturday afternoon, he will join one of the AFL’s most prestigious clubs. 

The match will be his 300th, including pre-season and representative games, meaning he qualifies for AFL Life Membership - an honour he will officially receive at the 2026 season launch. 

Speaking to Roo, Ditts and Loz on Triple M Adelaide Breakfast, Walker said he was proud that his journey would be recognised in this way. 

“I only found out about it yesterday to be honest, and it is certainly (one of my proudest accomplishments),” Walker said. 

“When you become a life member it means you’ve had a fair journey at a certain business or sporting Club.

“It’s very humbling and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have spent so much time at the Club I grew up barracking for. 

“I’m very, very chuffed to be honest.” 

Walker’s 18th season as a Crow began with a convincing 63-point win over St Kilda at Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon. 

He said it was pleasing to see the hard work the squad had put in over the pre-season pay off with a Round One victory. 

“I just think we’ve had a really good pre-season, we’re healthy and guys have really improved, which gave us all a lot of confidence heading into Round One, and it was great to see that pay off with a win on Sunday” Walker said. 

“Getting just under 43,000 was an amazing result, to see so many Crows fans there gave us such a boost and we definitely felt the love.

“We spoke all summer about Round One and putting in a good performance, so it was nice to be able to do that, but now we pick up that exact same mindset and shift it to the next challenge which is Essendon on the road this Saturday.” 

Walker was subbed out of Sunday’s match mid-way through the third quarter, allowing debutant Sid Draper to get his first taste of AFL football. 

The 34-year-old said the move was made to manage him ahead of a six day break leading into this week’s game against Essendon. 

“Having a six day break and us being in the position we were in, Nicksy and the coaches thought it would be a good opportunity to inject Sid,” Walker said. 

“It was nice to be able to sit back and watch Sid go to work, and boy was it exciting to see him run around out there. 

“I’m just enjoying my footy, I’m still very passionate about the game and I’m just going to keep playing at the highest level while I’m still performing, which I feel I did on the weekend.” 

Adelaide faces Essendon at the MCG this Saturday, with the first bounce at 12.50pm (ACDT).