The mo is gone and it might not be back after Taylor Walker’s stunning return to form against Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

In his third AFL game post-knee reconstruction, Walker proved the difference. The two-time Crows leading goalkicker cast aside the frustration of his first two games back, amassing 22 possessions, 10 marks, eight inside 50ms and two goal assists to go with a match-high five goals. The haul maintained Walker’s average of 4.5 goals in his games (three) against the Suns.

Coach Brenton Sanderson said he was pleased for the 24-year-old, who puts “enormous pressure” on himself to perform well for the team.

"The energy and the work rate's been there for the first couple of games, but we saw in the first few he was a little bit fumbly and made some poor decisions, and I think it took him a couple of weeks to get the AFL speed back," Sanderson said.

"But to hit the scoreboard today was good for his confidence … ultimately he kicks five, that’s probably the difference in the game."

After the game, a modest Walker made light of his uncharacteristic fumbles and miskicks over the past fortnight.

“Well, my shin’s not as sore today, so my touch was alright,” Walker said with a laugh.

Walker’s five goals included his first at Adelaide Oval, which came towards the end of the first quarter. The popular Crow celebrated with the crowd and was mobbed my teammates.

Midfielder Sam Kerridge said the players were thrilled for Walker, who shaved his trademark moustache before the match.

“Tex was a bit shattered the mo was gone before the game. He was letting all the boys know he felt a bit lonely and all that. He might have to shave it off every week now,” Kerridge said.

“He was fantastic today and it was awesome to see him back to his old self. I think the Club will be in a really good position with him playing well.”

Walker was part of a Crows forward line that piled on 16 goals despite slippery conditions at Adelaide Oval on Sunday. The score – 16.13 (109) – was the Club’s second-highest of the season.

Eddie Betts (two) and Josh Jenkins (two) also booted multiple goals, and another seven Crows kicked a goal each.

“We’re starting to gel really well in the forward line,” Walker said.

“Eddie was great again today. ‘Pods’ was good and ‘JJ’ had to go in the ruck when ‘Sauce’ (Sam Jacobs) went down. I thought we played some really consistent footy over four quarters, but in the second half of quarters we can’t afford to let goals slip like we did.”

Sanderson praised his team’s even contribution across the ground.

“Daniel Talia played really well on Tom Lynch. Walker kicked five and Jacobs and Jenkins were fantastic. When Sauce got hurt, Jenkins went into the ruck and that was really important for us,” Sanderson said.

“Sam Kerridge’s role on Ablett was pretty influential. I know Ablett still had 25 and kicked two, but that’s a pretty good result (for Kerridge on) one of the best players in the competition. Through our forward line, midfield and defence we had more winners than losers.

“We would hope to play that way every week.”

Pleasingly, Adelaide started the game well and claimed just their third first quarter of the season.

Walker said the performance was a step in the right direction, but that there was plenty of room for improvement.

“Our starts to games haven’t been that good and we were pretty disappointing last week, so to turn that around and come away with a win was really good,” Walker said.

“I don’t think we’ve put together two really good performances in a row yet this season, so we’ll recover well and get ready for Freo. Hopefully, we can go over there and knock them off.”