Adelaide’s inaugural signing under the NSW Scholarship program in 2006, Taylor Walker first stepped foot in the Crows clubrooms as a wide-eyed 16-year-old.

Over the next 18 months, Walker continued his development with junior club North Broken Hill.

The Crows were already leaning towards adding the highly-skilled forward, who was selected in the All Australian side after the National Under-18 Championships, to their playing list before the finals of the Broken Hill Football League in 2007.

But Walker guaranteed his place at West Lakes the following season, kicking bags of seven goals in the preliminary and grand finals to help guide North Broken Hill to the flag. He commemorated the victory by getting a premiership tattoo of his hometown team’s mascot - the Bulldog - on his ankle.

Hype over Walker continued to grow as he kicked multiple goals for SANFL club Norwood in several games in late-2008, but the finals-bound Crows resisted the temptation to call-up the talented but raw 18-year-old to the senior team.

He made his AFL debut against Collingwood in round one the next season. He slotted a goal with his first kick, and locked arms with fellow debutants Jared Petrenko and Myke Cook in the rooms post-match as the team belted out the Club song after a thrilling four-point win.

Walker showcased his potential, kicking hauls of three, four and five goals in his first 13 AFL matches. And it was because of this potential, football pundits queried Adelaide’s decision to send the enigmatic goalkicker back to the SANFL at different stages throughout the next two years.

By Walker’s own admission, the gap between his best and worst performances was too vast, and he set about trying to become a more reliable contributor.

From the outside, the change in Walker this season has happened overnight.

But “natural progression” and growing maturity both on and away from the football field have seen the much-loved larrikin blossom into a more consistent and rounded player in 2012.

Walker has kicked 29 goals to sit fourth in the race for the Coleman Medal.

However, there’s now more to the 22-year-old than his innate goalkicking ability. His highlights reel this season includes a match-defining chase down of Sydney livewire Lewis Jetta in Round Six. And he’s also starting to make better use of his imposing 92cm, 100kg, frame, after deciding it was “time to stand up and start playing like a man”.

He credits his development to the work he does with forward line coach Mark Bickley, who has helped to simplify his approach to games.

“I’ve narrowed it down to my work-rate. If I can get to as many contests as I can, I’m pretty confident I’ll win my fair share,” Walker said.

“I sit down with ‘Bicks’ after every game and we’ve got a few key areas we look at. If I get those (areas right), I’m happy. My defensive side has picked up a fair amount. If I can get to a contest, lay a tackle and see my mate kick a goal, I get more of a buzz seeing that than kicking a goal myself.

“Goals are a bonus for me.”

Such has been Walker’s development he’s now considered a role model at West Lakes.

“Taylor has been at the Club five years now, so there is a natural progression in your football,” Bickley said.

“In your first couple of years as teenager, you really walk around with your eyes wide open. You’re probably not quite as tuned in as you could be.

“Now, Taylor really understands that if he wants to achieve the standard that he wants to get to, you really have to work your backside off. In the last couple of years he’s worked hard. This year in particular, he’s not only working hard in a physical sense but he’s thinking a lot more about his football, which is probably a sign of his maturity.

“I’ve been really impressed with the way he’s gone about all aspects of his game. The one we all see is the defensive aspect, and he’s really taken that to the level we asked of him.

“He’s been a role model for the forward group in the way he’s gone about it.”

Walker struck trouble trying to put into effect his improved defensive skills against Geelong in Round Seven. He was suspended for two weeks for what was deemed to be a ‘sling’ tackle on Cats defender Harry Taylor. Instead of “sulking” about his two-match ban, Walker set about turning the enforced layoff into a positive experience and embarked on the toughest training period of his career so far.

One of Crows best performers in the gym, Walker ran, cross-trained and boxed to the point of exhaustion, pushed to his limits by the Club’s fitness staff.

“In the two weeks Taylor missed through suspension he absolutely worked his backside off,” Bickley said.

“(Physical Performance Manager) Stephen Schwerdt commented that the work Taylor did in that break was as good a quality and as dedicated as anyone he’d seen come through the Club.

“Tex is one of those players who has, maybe, been a little bit maligned in terms of the way they go about their training, so for ‘Schwerdty’ to say that was a good vote of confidence that Tex is really serious about not only being a good player in the AFL but one of the best players.”

Still only 22 years of age, Walker’s development is ongoing.

He’s the first to admit he has areas of his game to improve on, but history suggests he’s on the right path.

In Round Five this season - in just his 50th AFL game - Walker became the 10th youngest player in VFL/AFL history to kick 100 career goals, joining the likes of Australian Football legends Tony Lockett, Matthew Lloyd, John Coleman and Gordon Coventry.

Walker has formed a strong bond with rookie coach Brenton Sanderson - a believer in the philosophy of ‘killing players with kindness’. Sanderson reminds the gifted forward of his natural ability, and pushes him to make the most of it.

“Sando and I have a really good relationship. He encourages us to do whatever we need to, to play our best footy,” Walker said.

Walker’s interest in the game extends beyond playing. Next year, he will start his Level One coaching certificate.

Off the field he remains a loveable country lad, who loves a good practical joke and is always happy to stop and sign an autograph, or pose for a photo with an adoring fan.

His good-natured character and flamboyant playing style have made him one of the most popular and talked-about players at West Lakes, but when the time comes to hang up the boots Walker would like to be remembered as a “team player”.

“I just go into every game trying to help out my teammates,” he said.

“If they can help me out (in kicking goals) I’d love that. We’re playing well together as a group and I think that’s why you’ve seen so many individuals playing well.”