FORWARD Taylor Walker says he never contemplated leaving Adelaide despite persisting reports linking him to several rival clubs, most notably newcomers Greater Western Sydney.

Last week, Walker joined former best-and-fairest winner Bernie Vince, promising young players Andy Otten and Shaun McKernan, and midfielder-turned-half-back flanker Brent Reilly in re-signing with the Crows.

Walker was mooted as a potential target of GWS until former teammate Phil Davis blindsided the club earlier this month, revealing his plans to accept a lucrative offer from the AFL's 18th team next season.

At the time, Walker told afc.com.au he'd had no contact whatsoever with the Giants, and planned to remain at the club he supported as a child.

Recently, the 21-year-old and his management reviewed plans to wait until the end of the season to negotiate a new contract, and promptly agreed to terms of what's believed to be a two-year deal with the Crows.

It was also reported Walker had suitors in Melbourne, but the talented goalkicker said he wasn't aware of any offers from other clubs.

"I think you guys (the media) were the ones that were talking [me leaving] up," Walker said on Monday.

"I was always in talks with the club, so I was very relieved to have done a deal.

"[The speculation] didn't annoy me one little bit. I had a clear mind about what I wanted to do, and just wanted to perform each week and do what I could for the club.

"I love the club. We probably haven't had the best year as a club this year but I think in the next couple of years we are going to be pretty exciting."

Despite having missed nine games through injury, inconsistent form and SANFL suspension, Walker only needs to outscore key forward Kurt Tippett against West Coast this week to top Adelaide's goalkicking this season.

The former NSW Scholarship holder has kicked 16 of his 30 goals since being recalled to the team to play Port Adelaide in round 19.

Prior to Sunday's clash with Richmond, he'd kicked bags of four, four, three and four, but was held to only one goal from nine disposals against the Tigers.

"I have got to narrow the gap from my best game to my worst game, and get a bit of consistency in my performance," Walker said.

"I suppose being back in the team is a start. [It's been pleasing] to get back in and string a couple of games together, which has probably been my weakness over the past few years … but yesterday (Sunday) I was pretty ordinary, so hopefully I can get back on the horse and get a kick next week."

McKernan also struggled in the Crows' 22-point loss to Richmond.

The athletic forward/ruckman was recast as a defender when reliable full-back Ben Rutten withdrew from the team to play Geelong in round 21 with illness.

The 16-game player performed admirably against the Cats and Brisbane Lions, but had two goals kicked against him by Tigers forward Tyrone Vickery in the first quarter alone on Sunday.

Vickery finished the day with four goals in a dominant display, and McKernan was substituted out of the game in the final term.

"I have enjoyed playing down back over the past couple of weeks, barring yesterday," McKernan said.

"It has been a good learning curve and [with Davis leaving] there is definitely an opportunity there for me, but there are other guys like Daniel Talia and Luke Thompson there as well.

"I think whoever wants to step up can take it and make it their own."

Like Walker, McKernan said he was always going to re-sign with the Crows, who drafted him with pick No.28 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.

"I was just hoping to get some consistency before I signed, but I always knew that I wanted to stay here next year with the group we have got going forward," he said.

The Crows will be without forward Chris Knights for their last game of the season against the Eagles at Patersons Stadium on Saturday.

Knights, who has missed the past two matches with a quad complaint, will have surgery to repair damage to his hip on Monday.

Otten could also miss the clash with West Coast after sustaining a heavy knock to his head in the final quarter of the loss to Richmond.

Reilly, who was pleased he would finish his career as a one-club player, said the team was determined to finish the disappointing season on a positive note.

"I think we have got a very exciting list and we have shown that in the last four or five weeks," Reilly said.

"Yesterday was a bit of a glitch but we know how to bounce back and we have got a great opportunity to play against a top four team this week in West Coast."

Katrina Gill covers Adelaide news for afl.com.au. Follow her on Twitter: @AFL_KatrinaGill