Crows football operations manager Phil Harper said the decision had been made after lengthy consultation with player advocates Iain Findlay and Anthony Sergi and meetings with two prominent QC’s in Melbourne over the past 48 hours.
Walker will miss Adelaide’s next three games against Port Adelaide, GWS and West Coast. The Match Review Panel deemed the tackle on Richmond’s Steven Morris to be reckless, medium impact and high contact, resulting in a three-game ban with an early plea. The penalty was impacted by Walker's previous record.
Harper said there were three areas of the report assessed by the Club but the advice was clear that it could not contest the charge.
“We could have pleaded not guilty but the video shows Taylor making the tackle,” Harper said.
“We could have tried to argue the classification level for impact as low versus medium, as on the day we thought the player was not injured. However, Richmond’s medical report stated that Morris was injured and is having ongoing treatment, so therefore it automatically goes from low to medium. We can’t argue against the doctor’s report.
“And the other option was challenging the reckless down to negligent. However, the rules changed this year to cover dangerous tackles and the players were shown a DVD on this earlier this year.
“In the DVD it clearly states that if you lift a player off the ground it is automatically deemed reckless, the same as if there is a double action.
“In Taylor’s case there was not a double action but the Richmond player was lifted off the ground.”
Harper said the Club was very disappointed to lose Walker for the next three rounds.
“Taylor has been playing some great football for us this season, not only kicking goals but playing a great team role as a forward,” he said.
“We will continue to work with him through this break so he returns ready to play a key role for the rest of the season
“What I want our members and supporters to know is that we have tried to look at every angle to get Taylor’s penalty reduced but after expert advice Taylor has chosen not to contest the charge as the most likely outcome would have been a four-week suspension.”
There will be no further comment from the Adelaide Football Club on this matter.
