Taylor Walker (footballer)

{{Infobox AFL biography

| name = Taylor Walker

| image = Taylor Walker 2019.1.jpg

| caption = Walker playing for Adelaide in June 2019

| fullname = Taylor Walker

| nickname = Tex, The Texan

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|4|25|df=y}}

| birth_place = Broken Hill, New South Wales

| death_date =

| death_place =

| originalteam = North Broken Hill (BHFL)
NSW/ACT Rams (TAC Cup)

| draftpick = No. 75 (NSW SP), 2007 national draft

| position = Key forward

| currentclub = {{AFL Ade}}

| guernsey = 13

| image_size = 200px

| debutdate = Round 1, 2009

| debutteam = {{AFL Ade}}

| debutopponent = {{AFL Col}}

| debutstadium = MCG

| height = 192cm

| weight = 102kg

| years1 = 2008–

| club1 = {{AFL Ade}}

| games_goals1 = 294 (667)

| statsend = round 18, 2025

| sooyears1 = 2020

| sooteam1 = All Stars

| soogames_goals1 = 1 (0)

| repstatsend = 2020

| careerhighlights = Adelaide

Adelaide all-time leading goal kicker
Adelaide captain: 2015–2018; co-captain: 2019
7× Adelaide leading goalkicker: 2011, 2012, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Showdown Medal: 2023

AFL

}}

Taylor Walker (born 25 April 1990) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Adelaide Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He was drafted with pick 75 in the 2007 national draft and captained Adelaide from 2015 to 2019.

In 2020, Walker became Adelaide's all-time leading goalkicker.{{Cite web |title=Australian Football - Adelaide Football Club - Most Goals |url=https://australianfootball.com/clubs/most_goals/adelaide/1 |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=australianfootball.com}} Walker kicked a career-high 76 goals in 2023, making the All-Australian team for the first time.

Early life

Walker attended Willyama High School in Broken Hill. His father, Wayne, was a prominent footballer in Broken Hill who played more than 350 games. Wayne wasn't a gifted or natural player but trained very hard and became a highly respected centreman for the Centrals in Broken Hill.{{cite news|last=Nicolussi|first=Christian|date=26 June 2009|title=Youngster Taylor Walker under wraps in Sydney|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/youngster-taylor-walker-under-wraps-in-sydney/story-e6frexx0-1225740953879|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}} In 2006, Walker accepted a NSW Scholarship contract with Adelaide at the age of 16.{{cite web|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2006-05-24/crows-sign-broken-hill-junior|title=Crows sign Broken Hill junior|date=24 May 2006|website=AFC.com.au|publisher=Adelaide Football Club|access-date=17 June 2016}} However, he continued to play for his senior local amateur league team, North Broken Hill, in the Broken Hill Football League, leading them to the 2007 premiership with a seven-goal, best-on-ground performance, playing at centre half-forward.North Football Club Records 2007 edition, page 1

Football career

= Early career (2008–2011) =

Walker was drafted with pick 75 in the 2007 national draft.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/news/from-patrick-dangerfield-to-taylor-walker-here-are-the-best-draft-finds-of-the-past-decade-in-the-afl/news-story/7fdb24aa6f03bac41f1e5ac5f435f01b|title=From Patrick Dangerfield to Taylor Walker, here are the best draft finds of the past decade in the AFL|last=Barca|first=Jarryd|date=28 July 2016|work=Fox Sports Australia|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=20 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421032122/https://www.foxsports.com.au/news/from-patrick-dangerfield-to-taylor-walker-here-are-the-best-draft-finds-of-the-past-decade-in-the-afl/news-story/7fdb24aa6f03bac41f1e5ac5f435f01b?nk=9f9a6b4f902d56922562875144eecb21-1524232478|archive-date=21 April 2018}}

Walker spent his first year at the Crows playing for {{SANFL Nor}} in the SANFL, kicking more than 50 goals in the 2008 season. He made his AFL debut in round 1 the next season, against {{AFL Col}}, and held his place in the side for the next 12 rounds.{{cite web|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2009-12-09/walker-working-his-way-back|title=Walker working his way back|last1=Gill|first1=Katrina|date=9 December 2009|website=AFC.com.au|publisher=Adelaide Football Club|access-date=17 June 2016}} This included a five-goal performance against reigning premiers {{AFL Haw}} in round 10, which earned him an AFL Rising Star nomination.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2009-06-02/nab-afl-rising-star-rd-10|title=NAB AFL Rising Star: Rd 10|last1=Holmesby|first1=Luke|date=2 June 2009|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=Australian Football League|access-date=2 June 2009}} However, only three weeks later he was dropped from the senior side and played just one more match for the season, with coach Neil Craig wanting him to work on deficiencies in his game.

Walker returned to the side in 2010 and showed fluctuating form, showing glimpses of brilliance alongside some poor performances. He was dropped from the side on a number of occasions throughout the year, sparking rumours that he and head coach Neil Craig were not seeing eye to eye and that Craig was using Walker as a scapegoat for Adelaide's poor form throughout the year. Again, Walker was accused of not showing enough defensive pressure in the forward line. He finished with 35 goals for the season from 18 games, including two sets of four goals against {{AFL Fre}} and then {{AFL Gee}}.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

Early in 2011, Walker was dropped once again and was seen drinking a beer on live television at a SANFL game, sparking speculation that he 'didn't care' and may have signed a contract with incoming expansion team {{AFL GWS}}, with whom Walker had been previously strongly linked.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/05/23/3224207.htm|title=Walker's drink small beer to Craig|date=23 May 2011|website=ABC.net.au|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=17 June 2016}} However, late in the season, Walker re-signed with the Crows for a further four years.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}} Despite inconsistent form and injuries, Walker was the club's leading goalkicker in 2011, booting 32 goals from only 13 games, at an average of 2.5 per game, ranked sixth in the AFL.{{cite web|url=http://www.afc.com.au/player-profile/Taylor-Walker|title=Taylor Walker - AFC.com.au|website=AFC.com.au|publisher=Adelaide Football Club}}

=Improvement (2012–2014)=

In 2012, Walker improved under new coach Brenton Sanderson. By Round 8, Walker led the Coleman Medal count before two separate suspensions for rough tackles cost him the chance to lead the league's goalscoring.{{cite news|last=Spits|first=Scott|date=15 May 2012|title=Crow Walker cops two-match penalty|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/crow-walker-cops-twomatch-penalty-20120515-1yo1f.html|newspaper=The Age}}{{cite news|last=Rucci|first=Michelangelo|date=1 July 2012|title=Adelaide forward Taylor Walker facing three-match suspension for tackle on Steven Morris|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/adelaide-forward-taylor-walker-facing-three-match-suspension-for-tackle-on-steven-morris/story-e6freck3-1226413585192|newspaper=The Advertiser}} However, Walker returned to finish the season in good form, booting five goals in Adelaide's come-from-behind Semi-Final win over {{AFL Fre}},{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-14/walker-leads-crows-to-finals-win/4262948|title=Walker leads Crows to finals win|date=15 September 2012|website=ABC.net.au|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=29 September 2012}} and four goals the next week in the Crows' Preliminary Final loss to {{AFL Haw}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-22/hawthorn-adelaide-afl-preliminary-final/4275642|title=Hawks hang on against gutsy Crows|date=23 September 2012|website=ABC.net.au|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=17 June 2016}} In total, Walker kicked 63 goals for the season and averaged 3.3 goals per game, second in the AFL behind Lance Franklin.

In Round 5, 2013, against {{AFL Car}}, Walker hyperextended his right knee and suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury requiring a full reconstruction and 12-month rehabilitation period.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-04-29/walker-out-for-season|title=ACL tear puts Walker out for the year|date=29 April 2013|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=Australian Football League}} In the meantime, Walker made headlines by appearing on The Footy Show and agreeing to shave his famous mullet to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation. He then went on to raise a total of $66,672.45 for the foundation before having his head shaved by TV personality and former {{AFL Gee}} player Sam Newman.{{cite news|last=Kelton|first=Sam|date=4 July 2013|title=Taylor Walker cuts mullet for Leukaemia Foundation, raising $66,672|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/taylor-walker-cuts-mullet-for-leukaemia-foundation-raising-66672/story-fnia3xzy-1226674549005|newspaper=The Advertiser}}

Walker made his return to competitive football early in the 2014 season in the Adelaide Crows reserves' side, kicking three goals in a 37-point loss to {{SANFL Gle}}.{{cite news|last=Walsh|first=Scott|date=26 April 2014|title=Birthday boy Taylor Walker kicks three goals in strong return, despite Adelaide's 37-point loss to Glenelg|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/birthday-boy-taylor-walker-kicks-three-goals-in-strong-return-despite-adelaides-37point-loss-to-glenelg/story-fnii0294-1226896446828|newspaper=The Advertiser}} He made his return to the AFL against {{AFL Col}} in Round 9 at the Adelaide Oval, and played every game for the remainder of the season, kicking multiple goals in 11 games and a career-best six against the {{AFL BL}}. He finished with 34 goals in 15 games, and averaged a career-high 14.7 disposals per game. In November, Walker extended his contract with the Crows for three further years, until the end of 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-18/adelaide-crows-secure-taylor-walker-until-2018/5899086|title=Adelaide Crows secure Taylor Walker until 2018|date=18 November 2014|website=ABC.net.au|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=17 June 2016}}

=Captaincy (2015–2019)=

In January 2015, Walker was appointed captain of Adelaide.{{cite news|last1=Walsh|first1=Scott|last2=Harvy|first2=Ben|date=14 January 2015|title=Taylor Walker announced as new captain at Adelaide Crows|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/adelaide/taylor-walker-announced-as-new-captain-at-adelaide-crows/news-story/0f12c1e89bd1fcf4b5abbea0ce0efc9e|newspaper=The Advertiser}} He returned to his best form in that year, finishing fourth in the Coleman Medal with 55 goals in the home-and-away season and leading the club inspirationally as they overcame the death of senior coach Phil Walsh to make the semi-finals. He played his 100th AFL game in round 18 against the Sydney Swans at the Sydney Cricket Ground, fittingly in his home state of New South Wales.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-29/crows-captain-taylor-walker-to-play-100th-game/6657248|title=Crows captain Taylor Walker to play 100th game against Sydney Swans|publisher=ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)|first=Malcolm|last=Sutton|date=28 July 2015|access-date=27 September 2017}}

In 2016, he was voted the AFL Player's Association captain of the year.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-09-07/skipper-snub-to-complete-leader-texs-journey|title=Skipper snub to 'complete leader': Tex's journey|last=Gaskin|first=Lee|website=AFL.com.au|publisher=Australian Football League|date=7 September 2017|access-date=10 September 2017}}

Walker went into his third season as captain with a full pre-season of training,{{cite news|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/teams/adelaide/taylor-walker-set-for-big-2017-after-uninterrupted-preseason-campaign/news-story/4b4aaaf64b352250e2a90fb97d8ffd9f|title=Taylor Walker set for big 2017 after uninterrupted pre-season campaign|last=Homfray|first=Reece|date=14 February 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|newspaper=The Advertiser|publisher=News Corp Australia}} but when the season began there were concerns that a hamstring strain suffered in a JLT Series match against {{AFL BL}} could rule him out of the Crows’ first match against {{AFL GWS}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/03/20/crows-hopeful-walker-sloane-fitness|title=Crows hopeful on Walker, Sloane fitness|date=20 March 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|website=SBS.com.au|publisher=SBS}} He worked hard to recover, going to extra training sessions in the week leading up to the match,{{cite web|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2017-03-21/walker-sloane-ramp-up-recovery|title=Walker, Sloane ramp up recovery|date=21 March 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|website=AFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond}} but was ultimately left out of the team. He returned in the second round against {{AFL Haw}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/03/30/hawks-swing-axe-crows-recall-tex-afl|title=Hawks swing axe, Crows recall Tex in AFL|date=30 March 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|website=SBS.com.au|publisher=SBS}} Walker began the season with great form, starring with five goals and four goal assists in the first half against {{AFL Ess}} in the absence of fellow key forwards Josh Jenkins and Mitch McGovern.{{cite news|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/expert-opinion/chris-mcdermott/chris-mcdermott-reveals-his-round-4-afl-team-of-the-week/news-story/9bb55bd891ab884dab7e5eb53a7f83b2|title=Chris McDermott reveals his Round 4 AFL Team of the Week|last=McDermott|first=Chris|date=18 April 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|newspaper=The Advertiser|publisher=News Corp Australia}} He kicked 18 goals in his first five games while Adelaide remained undefeated, but he began to struggle, only kicking 16 in his next seven with the Crows losing five of those games.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/adelaide-captain-taylor-walker-under-fire-for-cruising-urged-to-lift-intensity/news-story/db50a4060b63eab604b2cd862a916c73|title=Adelaide captain Taylor Walker under fire for 'cruising', urged to lift intensity|last=Morris|first=Tom|date=26 June 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|website=FoxSports.com.au|publisher=News Corp Australia}} Though he was still contracted to play for the club until 2018, Walker signed a contract extension to the end of 2021.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/taylor-walker-signs-contract-extension-to-remain-with-the-adelaide-crows/news-story/17028d43ba6c546d210530bd9c165ee1|title=Taylor Walker signs contract extension to remain with the Adelaide Crows|last=Harrington|first=Anna|date=27 June 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|website=FoxSports.com.au|publisher=News Corp Australia}} In a match against the {{AFL WB}}, Walker bumped defender Jason Johannisen into a goal post. Johannisen went on to play the rest of the match, but the incident was looked at by the Match Review Panel,{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/mrp-will-look-at-adelaide-captain-taylor-walker-for-jason-johannisen-push-20170708-gx7bcm.html|title=MRP will look at Adelaide captain Taylor Walker for Jason Johannisen push|last=Cherny|first=Daniel|date=8 July 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|newspaper=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media}} who charged Walker with misconduct and fined him $1,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.afc.com.au/news/2017-07-10/mrp-walker|title=Walker charged with misconduct|date=10 July 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|website=AFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond}} Walker missed the final match of the home and away season against {{AFL WC}} due to a toe injury.{{cite news|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/is-this-the-boost-the-eagles-need-adelaides-taylor-walker-and-daniel-talia-withdraw-from-crucial-clash/news-story/11cf96d7739645eb956ef394d67efc71|title=Is this the boost the Eagles need? Adelaide's Taylor Walker and Daniel Talia withdraw from crucial clash|date=25 August 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|newspaper=PerthNow|publisher=News Corp Australia}}

Walker captained Adelaide in the 2017 AFL Grand Final, which they lost to {{AFL Ric}} by 48 points . Walker performed underwhelmingly and admitted that he was one of the players who didn’t play their role well enough. After the match he was criticised over the brevity of his post-match speech.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/taylor-walker-has-been-shown-up-by-gavin-cooper-as-essendon-legend-tim-watson-claims-the-crows-turned-on-each-other-at-halftime/news-story/eaca8e7cc9edf6359d98d9f25ddc010a|title=Taylor Walker has been shown up by Gavin Cooper, as Essendon legend Tim Watson claims the Crows turned on each other at halftime|date=2 October 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|website=FoxSports.com.au|publisher=News Corp Australia}} When teammate Jake Lever requested a trade from Adelaide to {{AFL Mel}}, Walker was again criticised for saying that Lever was “choosing money over success”.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/expert-opinion/mark-robinson/taylor-walker-hasnt-displayed-great-leadership-since-grand-final-loss-and-jake-levers-trade-request/news-story/e0ef4fb01b84b1105e98138e146a2fdf|title=Taylor Walker hasn't displayed great leadership since Grand Final loss and Jake Lever's trade request|last=Robinson|first=Mark|date=11 October 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|newspaper=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia}} Weeks later Bryce Gibbs was traded to Adelaide from {{AFL Car}} and Walker was accused of holding double standards, which he denied saying that Gibbs had come to Adelaide to spend time with family and accepted a pay cut.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/adelaide/taylor-walker-denies-double-standards-says-lever-and-gibbs-different-stories/news-story/01cb780a5701a16d05d9edbf92fd5bfb|title=Taylor Walker denies double standards, says Lever and Gibbs different stories|last=Edmund|first=Sam|date=21 October 2017|access-date=22 October 2017|newspaper=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia}}

On 4 September 2019, Walker stepped down as the club's captain, following a season sharing the role with Rory Sloane.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/2019-09-04/walker-steps-down-as-captain|title=Taylor Walker decides to step down as Adelaide Crows captain|publisher=Adelaide Crows|date=4 September 2019|access-date=4 September 2019}} The change in captaincy coincided with a change in coaching, as Don Pyke stepped aside for Matthew Nicks.

= Post-captaincy, racism controversy (2020–2021) =

On 19 September 2020, Walker became the all-time leading goalkicker for the Adelaide Crows. He scored his 441st goal for the club in Round 18 of the shortened 2020 season against Richmond, surpassing Tony Modra's previous record of 440. He was also Adelaide's leading goalkicker for the COVID-shortened 2020 season, scoring 15 goals;{{Cite web|title=AFL Tables - Adelaide Goalkicking Records|url=https://afltables.com/afl/teams/adelaide/leadinggk.html|access-date=2020-10-28|website=afltables.com}} this was the lowest tally for any club's highest scorer since Jack James totalled 13 goals for St Kilda in the 1920 season (exactly 100 years prior).{{Cite web|title=AFL Tables - St Kilda Goalkicking Records|url=https://afltables.com/afl/teams/stkilda/leadinggk.html|access-date=2020-10-28|website=afltables.com}}

Walker started the 2021 season in resurgent form, kicking 17 goals in his first three games and beating his 2020 tally in the process, finishing the year with 48 goals, his highest return since 2017. He joined Jonathan Brown as the second AFL player since 1993 to kick five or more goals in each of the first three rounds of a season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/adelaide-crows-forward-taylor-walker-winds-back-the-clock/news-story/71ee7c94090cc1f1ceb8c4b3fb633f22|title=Adelaide Crows forward Taylor Walker silences critics in 10-point victory|date=2 April 2021|access-date=3 April 2021|website=news.com.au}} He was widely lauded for returning to near career-best form in 2021, after a disappointing 2020 season where many commentators were questioning his future in the game. His return to form was highlighted with a match-winning goal against the previously unbeaten Melbourne in round 10, resulting in a one-point victory labelled as the "upset of the season".{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/617464/tex-the-hero-in-upset-of-the-season-adelaide-crows-end-melbourne-demons-unbeaten-run|title=Tex the hero in upset of the season: Crows end Demons' unbeaten run|first=Luke|last=Michael|website=AFL.com.au|date=May 22, 2021}}

Before the Round 21 Showdown match with Port Adelaide, news broke of Walker having made a racist comment about North Adelaide SANFL player Robbie Young. After an AFL investigation, Walker was suspended for six matches.{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-06/adelaide-crows-taylor-walker-banned-by-afl-for-six-games/100355276 |title=Adelaide Crows forward Taylor Walker suspended by AFL for six matches over racist comment |first1=Daniel |last1=Keane |first2=Matthew |last2=Smith |work=ABC News |date=6 August 2021 |access-date=6 August 2021}} He was also ordered to donate $20,000 to a South Australian Indigenous program, undergo a racial sensitivity education program, and apologise to all Adelaide and North Adelaide players. Walker made an apology video over the incident with Young in frame.{{Citation |title=Taylor Walker Apology | date=9 August 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lRhHquGpyM |access-date=2023-03-31 |language=en}} Young accepted Walker's apology in the ABC interview, although the apology was criticised by some Indigenous leaders in the AFL community.{{Citation |title=Taylor Walker apology not good enough according to some in Indigenous AFL community {{!}} ABC News | date=10 August 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdZQfQgaJyQ |access-date=2023-03-31 |language=en}}

= Late career (2022–present) =

Walker had another outstanding season in 2022, being Adelaide's leading goalkicker for a record sixth time with 47 goals for the year, breaking the record set by Tony Modra in 1997, the year Adelaide won the premiership. Walker kicked four goals in his return game from suspension against Essendon in Round 4. He kicked bags of five goals against Richmond in Round 5 and Collingwood in Round 18, as well as a bag of six against North Melbourne in Round 15. Walker was named in the All Australian squad of 40, but did not make the final team.

Walker had a somewhat quiet start to the 2023 season, kicking only three goals in the first three games. He returned to form in Round 4, kicking four goals against Fremantle. In his 250th match in Round 13, 2023, Walker would go on to kick a career-high 10 goals{{cite web|title=Greats praise 'extraordinary' Tex turnaround after 10-goal haul stuns the AFL world|first=Jason|last=Phelan|date=June 11, 2023|work=Fox Sports|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/adelaide-crows/afl-2023-taylor-walker-10-goals-adelaide-vs-west-coast-highlights-post-match-interview-video-career-turnaround/news-story/45e12ae9493b6acd897cdd2fd0faefd0}} against an undermanned West Coast side,{{cite web|title='Same old story' West Coast hit by more injury carnage as trio ruled out|first=Catherine|last=Healey|date=June 3, 2023|work=Fox Sports|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/same-old-story-west-coast-hit-by-more-injury-carnage-as-trio-ruled-out/news-story/208b92d942d9f2c90c1006e0641fb6b4}} crushing his previous personal best of seven goals against the Brisbane Lions in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2015/011920150822.html|work=AFL Tables|access-date=20 June 2023|title=AFL Tables - Adelaide v Brisbane Round 21, 2015 Match Stats}} In Showdown LIV in Round 20, Walker was awarded the Showdown Medal after a major seven goal haul. After kicking another nine goals against West Coast in the final round of the season, Walker temporarily lead the Coleman Medal tally until Charlie Curnow kicked three goals in Carlton's final game to take the medal from Taylor Walker.{{cite web|title=King Charles receives second Coleman after dominant 2023|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1016309/king-charles-reigns-supreme-curnow-clinches-coleman-again|website=AFL.com.au|first=Martin|last=Smith|date=30 August 2023}} Regardless, Walker's final tally of 76 goals in a season is the most of any Crow since Tony Modra in 1997, when he won the Coleman Medal. Walker capped off his career-best season with his first selection in the All-Australian team{{cite web|title=Walker. 2023|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1419856/walker-dawson-named-all-australian-for-2023#:~:text=Walker%20was%20named%20at%20centre,from%20Broken%20Hill%20in%202007.|date=30 August 2023|website=Adelaide Football Club}} and a personal-best 16 Brownlow votes.

Walker missed the first game of the 2024 season against {{AFL GC}} due to injury. In round 8, Walker kicked two goals to overtake Brendan Fevola in the all-time goalkicking category, totalling 624 goals and sitting in 33rd place. Following five consecutive leading goalkicker awards at Adelaide, Walker's forward dominance was finally relinquished by the rise of young Darcy Fogarty in 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/afl/news/afl-coleman-medal-leaderboard-2024/6b1321f2eae891e5b94accb0|website=sportingnews.com|date=26 August 2024|title=AFL Coleman Medal leaderboard 2024: Jesse Hogan wins award for the first time|first=Kieran|last=Francis}} Following the conclusion of Adelaide's season, the out-of-contract Walker signed on for another year,{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1207226/adelaide-crows-veteran-taylor-walker-signs-on-for-2025|website=afl.com.au|date=28 August 2024|title=One more year: Veteran Crows forward signs on for 2025}} despite rumours that he could finish his career at a rival club.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-27/afl-christian-petracca-trade-finals-clubs-missing-analysis/104270404|first=Chris|last=De Silva|website=abc.net.au|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|title=Christian Petracca trades, Jake Stringer's extension, a crucial coaching search — the big calls facing all the AFL clubs that missed the finals|date=27 August 2024}} {{AFL GWS}} free agent Isaac Cumming chose Adelaide as his club of destination in the off-season, citing Walker as an influence due to their shared Broken Hill roots.{{cite web|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/news/afl-trade-news-gws-free-agent-isaac-cumming-nominates-adelaide-crows-as-new-club/news-story/15dcc876be31c6d34431951236e966db|website=adelaidenow.com.au|publisher=The Advertiser (Adelaide)|title=Crows bump up free agent offer to even the count|date=26 September 2024}}

Honours and achievements

Club

NAB Cup (Adelaide; 2012)
McClelland Trophy (Adelaide; 2017)

Individual

Adelaide all-time leading goal kicker
Adelaide captain (2015–2019)
7× Adelaide leading goalkicker (2011, 2012, 2019–2023)
2× AFLPA best captain (2016, 2017)
Showdown Medal (2023)
22under22 team (2012)
AFL Rising Star nominee (2009)
All-Australian (2023)

Statistics

: Statistics are correct to end of round 22, 2024{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/T/Taylor_Walker.html|title=AFL Tables - Taylor Walker statistics|website=AFL Tables|access-date=12 August 2024}}

| 2009

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 14 || 23 || 19 || 88 || 22 || 110 || 57 || 25 || 1.6 || 1.4 || 6.3 || 1.6 || 7.9 || 4.1 || 1.8 || 1

| 2010

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 18 || 35 || 28 || 144 || 69 || 213 || 84 || 30 || 1.9 || 1.6 || 8.0 || 3.8 || 11.8 || 4.7 || 1.7 || 1

| 2011

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 13 || 32 || 13 || 85 || 61 || 146 || 61 || 9 || 2.5 || 1.0 || 6.5 || 4.7 || 11.2 || 4.7 || 0.7 || 0

| 2012

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 19 || 63 || 35 || 191 || 82 || 273 || 128 || 28 || 3.3 || 1.8 || 10.1 || 4.3 || 14.4 || 6.7 || 1.5 || 7

| 2013

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 5 || 10 || 6 || 40 || 21 || 61 || 23 || 8 || 2.0 || 1.2 || 8.0 || 4.2 || 12.2 || 4.6 || 1.6 || 0

| 2014

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 15 || 34 || 22 || 138 || 82 || 220 || 84 || 24 || 2.3 || 1.5 || 9.2 || 5.5 || 14.7 || 5.6 || 1.6 || 5

| 2015

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 23 || 59 || 45 || 253 || 73 || 326 || 171 || 31 || 2.6 || 2.0 || 11.0 || 3.2 || 14.2 || 7.4 || 1.6 || 10

| 2016

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 23 || 47 || 37 || 235 || 97 || 332 || 97 || 34 || 2.0 || 1.6 || 10.2 || 4.2 || 14.4 || 6.7 || 1.5 || 6

| 2017

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 23 || 54 || 35 || 237 || 105 || 342 || 146 || 44 || 2.3 || 1.5 || 10.3 || 4.6 || 14.9 || 6.3 || 1.9 || 7

| 2018

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 14 || 26 || 17 || 106 || 55 || 161 || 59 || 30 || 1.9 || 1.2 || 7.6 || 3.9 || 11.5 || 4.2 || 2.1 || 5

| 2019

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 22 || 43 || 22 || 175 || 89 || 264 || 112 || 32 || 1.9 || 1.0 || 8.0 || 4.0 || 12.0 || 5.1 || 1.4 || 3

| 2020

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 14 || 15 || 9 || 74 || 31 || 105 || 36 || 14 || 1.1 || 0.6 || 5.3 || 2.2 || 7.5 || 2.6 || 1.0 || 0

| 2021

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 17 || 48 || 29 || 155 || 72 || 227 || 90 || 23 || 2.8 || 1.7 || 9.1 || 4.2 || 13.3 || 5.2 || 1.3 || 9

| 2022

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 18 || 47 || 23 || 168 || 87 || 255 || 94 || 36 || 2.6 || 1.3 || 9.3 || 4.8 || 14.2 || 5.2 || 2.0 || 14

| 2023

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 22 || 76 || 34 || 226 || 60 || 286 || 124 || 29 || bgcolor=CAE1FF | 3.5^† || 1.5 || 10.3 || 2.7 || 13.0 || 5.6 || 1.3 || 16

| 2024

| {{AFL Ade}} || 13 || 17 || 27 || 20 || 139 || 48 || 187 || 96 || 25 || 1.6 || 1.2 || 8.2 || 2.8 || 11.0 || 5.7 || 1.5 || 0

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career

! 277

! 639

! 394

! 2454

! 1054

! 3508

! 1520

! 422

! 2.3

! 1.4

! 8.9

! 3.8

! 12.7

! 5.5

! 1.5

! 84

In the media

Walker has a weekly segment on Triple M Adelaide's Breakfast Radio hosted by Mark Ricciuto, Chris Dittmar, and Laura O'Callaghan.{{cite web|title=Gotcha Tex? Triple M fire off cheeky April Fools Day prank on Crows forward|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1745816/gotcha-tex-triple-m-fire-off-cheeky-april-fools-day-prank-on-crows-forward|date=1 April 2025|website=afc.com.au}}