Forward Taylor Walker has signed a three-year deal to remain a Crow until at least the end of 2015.
Walker has played 54 AFL games and kicked 119 goals since making his debut in the opening round of the 2009 season.
From Broken Hill, Walker was recruited by Adelaide in 2006 through the New South Wales Scholarship program. The 22-year-old was added to the Crows’ list at the end of 2007 and then moved to Adelaide full-time.
Walker’s signature follows the recent signings of Rory Sloane, Patrick Dangerfield, Richard Douglas and Matthew Jaensch. Promising pair Jared Petrenko and Brodie Smith also agreed to new deals at the start of the season.
The talented goalkicker forecast a bright future at Adelaide under rookie coach Brenton Sanderson, and said he was keen to be a part of it.
“I feel pretty excited about re-signing. I think we’re going onto some big things and that’s the main reason I signed,” Walker told afc.com.au.
“It wasn’t a tough decision to stay. The boys are playing really well and we’re in a good spot. Going forward, I think it’s going to be very exciting.”
Football operations general manager Phil Harper said the Club was pleased to add Walker’s name to the growing list of players, who have re-signed in 2012.
“We are really pleased with Taylor’s development to date, from a raw schoolboy from Broken Hill to a formidable forward in the AFL, so we are pleased he has committed to the club for an extended period,” he said.
“Taylor will be a key player in our Club’s quest for success in the next few years.”
Check out Walker's career in photos
Walker has enjoyed a career-best start to the season. The skilful forward, who topped Adelaide’s goalkicking (32) last year, has kicked 29 goals in nine matches to sit in fourth place in the race for the Coleman Medal.
He’s also improved the defensive and contested sides of his game to become a reliable contributor in the Crows forward line.
“For me it’s been about consistency this season,” Walker said.
“I think I’ve been able to narrow the gap between my good and bad games. That’s something I’ll always work on and there are exciting times ahead.”
A typically reliable shot at goal, Walker was off-target against St Kilda on Friday night. He had five shots at goal for a return of 2.3, which included two posters in the final quarter.
Instead it was five-goal hero Kurt Tippett’s time to shine. Jason Porplyzia (three goals) and small forward Ian Callinan (two goals) also chimed in with multiple goals.
Walker said one of his team’s biggest strengths was its even spread of contributors.
“We’ve got a weight of numbers at the moment, and all the boys are playing their roles,” he said.
“We’ve got a really good group up forward and I think we’re starting to bond well together.”
