Has the AFL world overrated Taylor Walker?

[Damon_3388]

So why does he put his hand up for selection if he isn't fit?
A true Captain would put the team before himself go back to Norwood get fit, them come back into the side.

He'd be playing for Adelaide Reserves in the SANFL these days, not Norwood.

 

[Damon_3388]

On Tex in general, I think he suffers from the fact that in all honestly he was an odd choice of captain from Walsh in the first place, who was dealing with the inevitable defection of Dangerfield in the following post-season. He chose someone who he thought was 100% Adelaide, and with Walker he will always get that - I think Walker is a natural leader, but in this day of age I don't think he is a captain - A captain in this day of hyper-media driven analysis and let's face it the guy is from Broken Hill and his old man played 400 games of footy for North Broken Hill - He aint a MENSA candidate - and yeah, no AFL captain is, but Walker can look like a bit of a relic in 2018

What other choices were there at the time though? I feel like there's been a dearth of quality leadership at the Crows for a long time, after Roo and Goodwin retired.

I also thought Nathan Van Berlo (Tex's predecesor) was an odd choice as captain as well. He seemed like a guy who set good training standards and was a good citizen, and probably fit the Neil Craig mould in that regard (as he was the coach at the time VB became captain), but didn't really seem like typical strong, courageous leadership material.

Walker seems a bit closer to the traditional idea of a captain, but he's also a bit meathead for this day and age too. The kind of bloke you'd have captaining your local footy club, rather than an AFL side.

 

[Roovolution]

He’s become a whipping boy for opposition clubs which is really unfair. Playing without a preseason and with a foot problem but let’s all pile on him.

 

[Damon_3388]

He’s become a whipping boy for opposition clubs which is really unfair. Playing without a preseason and with a foot problem but let’s all pile on him.

Well given that you're essentially playing with 5 key forwards each week (indicating that there's plenty of depth in that area), and you've got what should be an easier run of games coming up soon (Suns at home in Round 6, after an 8 day break, and Blues at home in Round 7, off a 7 day break), perhaps after this week (Sydney in Sydney on Friday night), it might be time to give Tex a couple of weeks off (no reserves footy or anything) before the big Showdown in Round 8.

 

[Jcpdragonx]

Walker is a good team player but hasn't reached the heights of the season when he did his acl. Also I don't think he's a captain for everyone. Port supporters think he's a joke but respect Rory.

Sloane has been the heart and soul of this club but we are prepared for bad news come seasons end, it's too late now.

In that GF, Sloane was bog until it was game over early in the second. Walker disaeapered better than David Blaine in the worst first half by a captain in 150 years of history. The players turning on each other was a sign of broken leadership, I couldn't imagine this happening under Rory.

I hope he's traded

 

[WCEbrody]

Surprised Sloane doesn't cop anywhere near as much criticism as Taylor Walker. It's getting to the stage now where a strong breeze could tag Rory out of a game.

 

[JoondalupJ]

He's not very good is he, very overrated imo

NO

 

[master bate]

His athleticism isn't what it used to be and if his body really isn't right then it becomes even harder for him. Certainly worth asking the question of the coach why he's playing if he's not right?

Lynch is the link man, McGovern is really the modern day CHF prototype and when he's on Jenkins does the full forward role perfectly. So there really shouldn't be any desperation to get Walker on the park.

The whole team failed on GF day. Beaten by a side that plays the MCG far better. I wouldn't criticise Tex too much for that and I'd be more focused on what he's done since and how he'll get back to his best in regards to his leadership doubters.

 

[Testekill]

I'm not going to say he's cooked but his body is starting to fall off. Even at 27, the end can still come pretty rapidly when you're beaten up.

Surprised Sloane doesn't cop anywhere near as much criticism as Taylor Walker. It's getting to the stage now where a strong breeze could tag Rory out of a game.

This is a fair point. Sloane is far too easily tagged out of the game for a supposedly elite midfielder.

 

[ziad]

my view, some days yes and some days no

Gut feel is that his body is failing him

 

[smasha]

Crows will probably win by 10 goals next week,Tex kicking 5,footy is a funny game.

Pies defenders held him down well,had no influence.

He seems a confidence type player.

Crows looked like Richmond when we played the Saints last year but there were massive rumours going round our players had a case of the flu,maybe the Crows also?

Bump.

How many did Tex kick tonight?

Didn’t win by 10 goals but won nonetheless with plenty out.

Should have followed my convictions in this thread instead of picking the colas.

 

[Stevi_Tigers]

was good but the umps really looked after him but well done he responded

 

[Milanista28]

He was fantastic tonight

 

[twiggy4PM]

Made a big statement tonight. Strong at the ball, 4 goals and some telling marks.

 

[charcoalchicken]

1st good game in like 12 months even liam jones has a decent game now and again meh

 

[Luv_our_club]

Tonight removes all the excuses he might have had during the last 4 rounds.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

The tough-guy act shits me. He’s the kind of guy who loves taking shots at players who aren’t defending themselves, such as running through players from the side just as they’re kicking.

Yet has been known to duck his head and take his eye off it in a contest.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

I just think it's a shame that some AFL players (and teams) need to be rubbished in the media before they hit the ground with the correct attitude.

I'm a Tex fan, but I've often wondered why he is captain. Doesn't seem to suit him, or the team.

 

[SterlingArcher]

I`m not sure tonight means he isn't overrated.
The criticism is that he goes missing way too often. Not that he never plays well.

 

[Go the Guts]

The tough-guy act shits me. He’s the kind of guy who loves taking shots at players who aren’t defending themselves, such as running through players from the side just as they’re kicking.

Yet has been known to duck his head and take his eye off it in a contest.

Every single word of this post is just wrong. You have no idea.

 

[mattymac]

Tonight removes all the excuses he might have had during the last 4 rounds.

No pre-season may have played a role in his late return to form

 

[Elite Crow]

I just think it's a shame that some AFL players (and teams) need to be rubbished in the media before they hit the ground with the correct attitude.

I'm a Tex fan, but I've often wondered why he is captain. Doesn't seem to suit him, or the team.

Having his peers vote him best captain 2 years running hasn’t helped explain it for you?

 

[Elite Crow]

Tonight removes all the excuses he might have had during the last 4 rounds.

Where he kicked 9 goals from 3 games after not playing a preseason match?

 

[AlorraVex]

Not a big fan of Tex but he was pretty good tonight. Very impressed with his leadership at the end of the game with that mark in defence.

 

[Cyclonus]

You can tell the Crows players love him. Talia running to him after the siren was lovely.