‘Grateful to have lived that life’: Crows legend calls time on remarkable footy career
Adelaide great Taylor Walker will retire from AFL football, bringing to a close one of the most significant careers in Crows history. See Tex’s speech.
He started as a Crow and ended as a Crow. One of the Adelaide team’s best-loved players, Taylor Walker, is hanging up his boots at the end of the 2026 season, the club announced today.
In a statement, the club said the 36-year-old has played 316 games and kicked more than 700 goals – making him the Crows’ all-time leading goalkicker – across a 19-season career.
Affectionately known as ‘Tex’, Walker captained the club from 2015 to 2019.
An emotional Walker fronted the media on Monday morning to announce his retirement.
“Thought I would’ve made it through the first sentence before I started tearing up,” Walker said.
“I came here as a 75 kilo, blonde tips in my hair, skinny kid from Broken Hill that just had no idea what I was walking into, to walking out with a beautiful wife and beautiful kids.
“I’ve learned so many things across my journey that yeah wouldn’t change for anything.”
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Walker said he “dreamed about one day playing for the Crows” and was “so grateful to have been able to live that life”.
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“I’ve shared the journey with so many great teammates, coaches and staff, as well as my family and friends, and I’m incredibly thankful for the role they’ve played in my career.
“To our members and supporters, thank you for riding every high and low with me, and your unwavering support is one of the reasons this club is such a special place.
“I’m going to leave the game with a great deal of pride, gratitude and a lifetime of memories, not to mention an ongoing sense of belonging to the Crows community.”
Walker became Adelaide’s first AFL NSW Scholarship player before being selected in the 2007 National Draft.
He debuted in 2009 and soon established himself as one of the competition’s premier key forwards.
His accolades for the club were highlighted by seven club leading goal kicker awards, All-Australian selection in 2023, and back-to-back AFL Players’ Association Best Captain honours in 2016 and 2017.
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Despite rumours circulating for many months of the news coming, fans took to social media to thank a club favourite with one saying “Thanks just fell to the ground in tears at woollies”.
Crows Senior Coach Matthew Nicks paid tribute to Walker’s enduring contribution to the club on Monday.
“Everyone sees the goals and big moments but those who have worked closely with Tex know the care he has for his teammates, our coaches and staff, and the Club,” Nicks said.
“He’s someone who led through actions as much as words. He was prepared to stand up when things were going well and, importantly, he stood tall when they weren’t.
“On behalf of our playing group and football department, as well as everyone associated with the Crows, we thank Tex for everything he has given to the Club and game generally.”
Crows CEO Tim Silvers said Walker’s contribution would leave an indelible mark on the organisation.
“He has been a leader whose influence extended far beyond the playing field, and it was underpinned by his resilience, work ethic, durability and pure talent,” Silvers said.
“Tex has earned the admiration of teammates, coaches, staff, members and supporters through his commitment and love for the Club.
“He will leave the game as one of the greatest players to have pulled on the Crows jumper.”
Adelaide is planning to formally acknowledge Walker’s contribution at its home game in Round 24.
One of the club’s Facebook top fans Dean Gambarotto shared the same thought likely to be shared by thousands of fans.
“As the saying goes… there will never ever be another Taylor Walker.”
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