Kane Cornes is certain Taylor Walker won’t finish his AFL career at a new club, calling on the Crows to hold off on contract talks with the veteran.
Walker has booted the 17 goals in 11 games and is currently in the worst vein of form he’s produced for over two years.
On Wednesday, AFL Media’s chief correspondent Damian Barrett told Nine’s Footy Classified that Walker is keen to play on with Adelaide.
“I have no doubt he is open to offers from other clubs,” Barrett added.
But Cornes dismissed that narrative as one pedaled by Walker’s management. 34-year-old Walker has not signed a contract longer than a one-year extension since 2017.
“This story at this time of the year regarding Taylor Walker happens on repeat,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.
“Go back and look at it. Ever since he’s been signing one-year contracts, this information at this time of the year comes out every year.
“Taylor Walker is 35 next year, he hasn’t touched the football hardly this year. His back is clearly a real issue, he’s struggling to kick it from 50 and can’t bend over to get the ball.
“His team is on its knees, his club is struggling and then the minute that he doesn’t get the contract that he wants, the Walker camp briefs the media that he may go elsewhere.”
Expected to push hard for finals in 2024, Adelaide is among the most disappointing teams in the competition this season and sits in the bottom four ahead of Round 15.
Walker’s form has mirrored that of his club. Only once in 2024 has he kicked more than two goals in a game, a year after he was named centre half-forward of the All-Australian side.
The former skipper and 270-gamer has been at Adelaide since debuting in 2008 and Cornes is confident Walker won’t walk out on history.
“As if Taylor Walker is going to go elsewhere. This is purely designed from the Walker camp to put pressure on the Adelaide Football Club,” the Port Adelaide great continued.
“How about you just make the decision on a player that is going to be 35 (next year), got significant issues with his body… in the fullness of time.
“To come out and threaten to leave the club now at this point of time, at his age and with his form and the issues with his body when you’ve done that every year for three years at this time is ridiculous.
“Adelaide would be crazy to be pressured into signing Taylor Walker (right now), who has significant question marks over his body and his back right now.”
The Crows have the bye in Round 15 and are almost certainly out of the finals mix. Walker’s last contract came in late July last year.