Could Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker be playing in a new state in 2025?
According to journalist Damien Barrett, the possibility is high.
Walker kicked 76 goals last year and was named in the All-Australian team, and has played close to 300 games for the Crows as one of their best modern-era key forwards.
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But, come next season, the 34-year-old may not be in the red, yellow and blue.
It comes as the Crows undergo their planned mid-season review, with extra pressure on the club’s key stakeholders after their dismal 4-9-1 record after 14 rounds.
While the club has denied that any leaders are on the chopping block, the Crows could withhold from offering the veteran a new contract for next season.
But Walker is set on playing beyond this year, even if it means at a new club.
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“He does want to play in 2025, that is a given,” Barrett said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night.
But Adelaide has not yet begun conversations about what Walker’s future looks like, meaning other clubs could be preparing their own offers.
“He is yet to learn from his own club, that he’s been at since 2007, if it’s (a contract) going to be with the club he wants,” Barrett said.
“That’s a conversation to be had in the next six-to-eight weeks.
“If it doesn’t go down the path he wants, I’ve got no doubt that he’s open to offers from other clubs.”
Those exact clubs are as yet unknown.
“Whether it is a Geelong, who may want to replace Tom Hawkins for the one year,” Barrett said.
“Whether it’s North Melbourne that may realise Nick Larkey may need some support.
“Whether it’s Collingwood if (Dan) McStay doesn’t come back (from his ACL injury) and (Jamie) Elliott doesn’t come back (from vascular injury).
“There’s going to be options for him.”
It’s a position that not many big names find themselves in.
“It’s unusual for a player of this calibre and (who is) so linked to his own club, that’s going to potentially be on the market,” Barrett said.
Geelong great Jimmy Bartel is confident that Walker will find a new home if the Crows don’t offer him a contract extension.
“He does offer a lot of value. He can still kick the footy,” Bartel said.
But Bartel says a Walker move would have to come on one condition.
“You’d want to go where he’s not the key forward,” he added.
“At Melbourne, he’d probably be the key forward, which is a lot of work.”
The Crows have won just one match from their last five outings.