Walker kicked 63 goals in 19 games to top Adelaide’s goalkicking for a second-consecutive season. The former NSW Scholarship holder slotted 53 of those goals in the minor round to finish seventh in the Coleman Medal race.
He kicked multiple goals in 15 matches, including four consecutive bags of four between rounds 19 and 22. He also booted four bags of five goals, including a match-defining five-goal haul in the Crows’ Semi-Final win over Fremantle.
His goal average of 3.3 per game was the second-highest in the competition behind Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin, and his accuracy in front of goals (62%) was also the second-best among the AFL’s top 10 goalkickers.
But perhaps the most telling statistic of Walker’s standout season arose from his career-best six-goal haul against Port Adelaide in Round Five.
Aged just 22-years and in only his 50th game, the loveable lad from Broken Hill became the 10th youngest player in VFL/AFL history to kick 100 career goals. In doing so, he joined the likes of Australian Football legends Tony Lockett, Matthew Lloyd, John Coleman and Gordon Coventry.
"He's still a kid, he's still learning so many things about the game," coach Brenton Sanderson said.
"But gee he's exciting. Every time he's near the ball you hold your breath because you know anything can happen."
Walker also earned a reputation as a big-game player, overcoming a quiet Qualifying Final against Sydney to kick clutch goals at half-time of cut throat finals against Fremantle and Hawthorn.
"In big games, I like to pride myself on playing well and after last week (against Sydney) I was pretty disappointed in my performance," Walker said after the Semi-Final win over Freo.
"To come out and play well gives me a lot of confidence."
Walker’s sharp upturn in form in 2012 stemmed from a pre-season focus to improve his consistency by maintaining a high work rate. His defensive pressure also improved, but he had to refine his tackling technique after being suspended twice for dangerous tackles.
“I’ve changed my thought patterns on kicking goals,” Walker said.
“If I do the other little things, like tackling and chasing I’ll be rewarded with goals. I try not to think about kicking goals too much.”
In further good news, Walker signed a new three-year deal with the Club in June that will see him remain a Crow until at least the end of 2015.
