Crows plan Walker talks!

[cmndstab]

Apparently Rowe got stuck into McKernan on the 5AA sports show today, and Dave Burtenshaw rung them up and got stuck into him about it, saying that the media article did not reflect McKernan's actual quote.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

I disagree. Walker is holding out for money, not love and I cant blame him one bit. But it is also a risk. He could easily settle now for a very healthy contract above odds of what he is worth from Adelaide. Or he can bank on having a breakout year and increase his earn. But it could also blow in his face if he has a quiet start to the year and Mckernan forces his way in infront of him. And let me tell you, as a South supporter who has seen him play plenty of times, Mckernan is going to be a gun. I also said it about Otten and there were plenty of doubters on here.
The pressure is slowly building on Walker. It creates an interesting rivalry scenario within the team. Who is Craig going to show more love to? I promise you it would be on Walkers mind. Any ultra competitive person would be feeling it.... I hope Mckernan has a blinder this year!

Its a good point that I didn't think about. This whole "wait to the end of the year" could backfire in Walkers face if he has another ordinary year and McKernan has a good year. McKernan could end up getting a chunk of money which was set aside for Walker. Go McKernan

As a South man what's your opinion of Tahlia? A guy I know, who is in the inner sanctum at South, said he has zero intensity, sort of a taller version of L Jericho - harsh??

 

[KUNG FU]

Jesus, after reading the article: Gimme a break!

"Heading into the season I wasn't sure whether I was ready to step in ahead of those guys but now I feel that I am," McKernan said after strong displays in Adelaide's opening two NAB Cup games against Melbourne and Port on Friday night.

"I feel a lot more confident now and firmly believe I can challenge both of them for a spot."

"The time has come for me to step up," said McKernan, who was drafted at pick 28 from TAC Cup side Calder Cannons at the 2008 national draft.

"I can't afford to be playing in the SANFL all year - I've got to be a regular (AFL) contributor and push those other two guys (Tippett and Walker) for a spot."

McKernan said while he was eyeing a key forward spot, he was to content to play any role if it means getting a game.

"I've played in the ruck and down back for South Adelaide in the SANFL too so I'd like to think I've got some versatility to my game," McKernan said.

"Even coming off the bench or as a sub would do me this year because I just want to play. I feel it's my time."

Sounds suitably modest imo and is all about what he needs to do, rather than Walker or Tippett.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/young-gun-is-out-to-stake-a-spot/story-e6frf9jf-1226005826578

 

[Freddy Bassett]

Its a good point that I didn't think about. This whole "wait to the end of the year" could backfire in Walkers face if he has another ordinary year and McKernan has a good year. McKernan could end up getting a chunk of money which was set aside for Walker. Go McKernan

As a South man what's your opinion of Tahlia? A guy I know, who is in the inner sanctum at South, said he has zero intensity, sort of a taller version of L Jericho - harsh??

I have not really seen enough of him. But I will tell you it is not easy for young AFL listed players at South. You are surrounded by other kids with very little quality or leadership around you. It is easy to start not enjoying football. Thats why when Andy Otten arrived I could see straight away that the kid was going to make it. But Andy was a midfielder and Ive always thought it is easier for kids to make an early impact there rather than as a key position player. Thats why Mckernan is something different. He has shown glimpses of brilliance as an 18 yr old playing seasoned campaigners. His game last year vs the Eagles when he kicked 4 last quarter goals, all from pack marks and rucked all day leaping around like Nic Nat was all I needed to see. Souths came back from 4 goals down at 3 quarter time and Mckernan got 3 votes. If Mckernan was at a different SANFL club Im sure he would of played much more AFL footy. I wonder how Walker would of gone if he was at Souths rather than Norwood? Who knows?

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Its a good point that I didn't think about. This whole "wait to the end of the year" could backfire in Walkers face if he has another ordinary year and McKernan has a good year. McKernan could end up getting a chunk of money which was set aside for Walker. Go McKernan

Putting his age and the amount of games he has played into perspective, when has Taylor Walker had an ordinary year?

His 2 years at Norwood were unbelievably good for a 17 and 18 year old and his first 2 years as a 19 and 20 year old in the AFL have been good for someone who has only played 32 AFL games and is still under 21 year of age.

I imagine the day he announced he has signed with the GWS, he will automatically turn from a young gun to a useless lack according to some of our supporters.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

Putting his age and the amount of games he has played into perspective, when has Taylor Walker had an ordinary year?

His 2 years at Norwood were unbelievably good for a 17 and 18 year old and his first 2 years as a 19 and 20 year old in the AFL have been good for someone who has only played 32 AFL games and is still under 21 year of age.

I imagine the day he announced he has signed with the GWS, he will automatically turn from a young gun to a useless lack according to some of our supporters.

I believe Walker will be a star of the future but to say last year he was anything more than average is pretty ridiculous.

 

[Vader]

I believe Walker will be a star of the future but to say last year he was anything more than average is pretty ridiculous.

Agreed. Right now he's a "potential gun". He definitely hasn't done enough to earn "gun" status just yet.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

I believe Walker will be a star of the future but to say last year he was anything more than average is pretty ridiculous.

How was it average? as a Pauline Hanson and please explain.

I disagree, I don't beleive the propaganda about his defensive abilities or sensualist stories generating from his fan boiiis - IMO his form for a 20 year old with less than 20 games was on par to other players at the same stage. His stats indicate he is on par with J. Brown, N. Riewoldt, M. Pavlich.

so, what was so average about it? he didn't kick 100 goals or take 500 contested marks to meet your lofty standards. He'd played 20 games before the start of last year FFS.

It wasn't average and it wasn't ordinary.

 

[AFC979810]

I believe Walker will be a star of the future but to say last year he was anything more than average is pretty ridiculous.

Are you serious? You either need to calm down on your expectations or watch this kid play.

Entering into last season the kid was 20 years old with 14games of AFL experience. To play 18 out of 22 AFL games average 2 goals and 12 touches a game as a KPF in a side that struggled with good delivery into the forward 50 is a very good season. If you compare him to Riewoldt or Buddy then admittedly those stats would be average, but for his age and position he plays - he had a very good year....

I also believe that he will be a very very good player - but don't think we will see the consistency and productivity of a star until 2012/2013. I just hope he shows this with us and not GWS.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Agreed. Right now he's a "potential gun". He definitely hasn't done enough to earn "gun" status just yet.

What output did you expect to receive from a 20 year old?

 

[srv23]

I believe Walker will be a star of the future but to say last year he was anything more than average is pretty ridiculous.

With all due respect, how many other 19/20 year old kpf's have had better years in their second year of playing regular AFL footy? He didn't have an outstanding year but his development as a young key forward is comparable to some of the best at similar age/points of their careers.

Yes he has inconsitencies in his game and his level of intensity needs to improve. He needs to find ways to impose himself on a game and on a contest even when he's not having a great game, but I would have thought his development is right on track for where it should be at this point in time. He is not a gun yet but he has all the potential in the world. He
has improved in every year he's been on the list but still has a lot to learn - just like any other 19/20 year old on the list. I'm not sure what else you expect of him?

He kicked 32 goals in 18 games. I would have thought that would count as a better than average year. The key now is 2011. He's had 3 years in the system, he's got an AFL key position sized body - this is the year he needs to impose himself on the competition.

 

[WALL-e]

What output did you expect to receive from a 20 year old?

Don't think Vaders, had a go at his development, just saying he isn't a gun yet, he's a potential gun. That's true.

He's shown an ability to become a gun, but he isn't yet.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Don't think Vaders, had a go at his development, just saying he isn't a gun yet, he's a potential gun. That's true.

He's shown an ability to become a gun, but he isn't yet.

I agree and anyone with half a brain would also agree with that but to agree with someone whose labeled his year as being 'average' and 'ordinary' raises questions.

Putting his year into perspective, as a 20 year old, it wasn't either of those things and if you beleive it was, what did they expect?

 

[srv23]

Don't think Vaders, had a go at his development, just saying he isn't a gun yet, he's a potential gun. That's true.

He's shown an ability to become a gun, but he isn't yet.

This is undoubtedly true, no-one believe he is a genuinely elite player of the comp yet.

Bet people seem to have hugely unrealistic impressions of what a 20 year old KPF should be able to produce, especially in a side that started the year 0-6, didn't make finals, got smashed in the midfield/clearances time and again and whose delivery into the forward line was down right diabolical at times.

 

[Vader]

What output did you expect to receive from a 20 year old?

He still has too many flaws to his game to be regarded as a gun. These are the same flaws which saw him kick 0.3 from 4 scoring shots in the MMC and the same flaws which saw him dropped for the R20 game last year.

He's not a gun - yet.

He definitely has potential to become a gun, if he can iron out his flaws. He's young enough that he still has plenty of development ahead of him and there's no reason why he should not be able to reach his full potential. But he's not there yet.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

He still has too many flaws to his game to be regarded as a gun. These are the same flaws which saw him kick 0.3 from 4 scoring shots in the MMC and the same flaws which saw him dropped for the R20 game last year.

He's not a gun - yet.

He definitely has potential to become a gun, if he can iron out his flaws. He's young enough that he still has plenty of development ahead of him and there's no reason why he should not be able to reach his full potential. But he's not there yet.

I agree with you but was his 2010 season average or ordinary?

As a 20 year old KPP....no it was not.

 

[WALL-e]

I think our expectations on this kid can warp our view of his progression and his play at times.

I'll preface this by stating he's one of my personal favorites....

There's times where he shits me right up the wall for not doing what seems as the 'easy things'. Stuff like hitting a pack or pushing a bit harder.

The fact is he's a kid, he's come from country footy and the fact we've seen AFL quality, and star AFL quality, at times can make us question the downfalls in his game more harshly that we would someone else. Only because we know what he's capable of. This is likely why he was dropped from the team at times where supporters thought it was harsh.

Fact is, he's still an immature footy player. He's a confidence player too much and too inconsistant. But none of those things are unusual for a 20 year old KPP who's gone from being a kid in broken hill with a mullett to the lord and savour to thousands of critical supporters.

 

[srv23]

He still has too many flaws to his game to be regarded as a gun. These are the same flaws which saw him kick 0.3 from 4 scoring shots in the MMC and the same flaws which saw him dropped for the R20 game last year.

He's not a gun - yet.

He definitely has potential to become a gun, if he can iron out his flaws. He's young enough that he still has plenty of development ahead of him and there's no reason why he should not be able to reach his full potential. But he's not there yet.

But I don't think anyone is saying he is a gun now and I don't think anyone believes he has no flaws in his game.

However do you think his year last year was "much better than average" as Captain Dangerfield stated? I thought it was pretty good for a 20 year old key forward in a struggling team. That doesn't mean I think Tex is a gun already who doesn't have aspects of his game that need improving, however I think his devlopment has been very good at this point in his career.

 

[Vader]

I agree with you but was his 2010 season average or ordinary?

As a 20 year old KPP....no it was not.

I don't think it was good enough to justify the level of hype, hero worship & adulation which he receives on this board. He's not the second coming of Jesus Christ.. there are times when he's just "a naughty boy".

Was it average or ordinary? Maybe not. Was it everything this board would have you believe? Definitely not.

 

[Vader]

But I don't think anyone is saying he is a gun now and I don't think anyone believes he has no flaws in his game.

However do you think his year last year was "much better than average" as Captain Dangerfield stated? I thought it was pretty good for a 20 year old key forward in a struggling team. That doesn't mean I think Tex is a gun already who doesn't have aspects of his game that need improving, however I think his devlopment has been very good at this point in his career.

I thought it was OK, but nothing more than that. It certainly wasn't outstanding. Actually, considering his outrageous talent, I thought that he achieved a bit less than he could have.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

I don't think it was good enough to justify the level of hype, hero worship & adulation which he receives on this board. He's not the second coming of Jesus Christ.. there are times when he's just "a naughty boy".

Yeah, but you know this board and possibly this entire web site has bi polar when it comes to football and any given Monday, that POV can and possibly does change.

Was it average or ordinary? Maybe not. Was it everything this board would have you believe? Definitely not.

Thank you, part b of that question, see above.

 

[Freddy Bassett]

Walker is an out and out GUN SANFL player. He could potentially be a Gun AFL player. He could potentially be a talented kid who never fulfills his potential aswell. He has shown plenty for a guy under 21 but so did Jason Cloke. I honestly have more faith in Davis, Mackay and Otten playing more games barring injury than Walker. But Walker could potentially be the best player in the league whereas the other 3 IMO couldnt.

 

[KingJames23]

Anyone see this?
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/crows-end-backlash-on-defectors/story-e6frecjc-1226006586707

Craigy stating that if walker was to announce he was leaving today, he would still let him play out the season.

I'm a bit torn on this. Let's say you're in collingwood's position and a chance to win a GF. You would want to play him if it will help you win the premiership.

But in the crows case, they won't win the premiership this year. So you are holding back a seasons worth of development in a player coming through.

 

[cmndstab]

Were Walker's 2009 and 2010 season's well above average for a kid of his age - absolutely.

Were they enough to all-but guarantee he'll be a gun at AFL level - no.


Walker is on an upwards trend, and a very promising one at that given his age, but he's not yet solidified himself as a gun AFL player of the future. Nonetheless, what he has shown is that he has the tools, and I've heard plenty of stories that tell me he has the desire.

 

[Freddy Bassett]

Anyone see this?
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/crows-end-backlash-on-defectors/story-e6frecjc-1226006586707

Craigy stating that if walker was to announce he was leaving today, he would still let him play out the season.

I'm a bit torn on this. Let's say you're in collingwood's position and a chance to win a GF. You would want to play him if it will help you win the premiership.

But in the crows case, they won't win the premiership this year. So you are holding back a seasons worth of development in a player coming through.

Interesting article. I read it as " If you are cheating on me, please be honest and tell me, I wont be angry". Bock came clean and got a slap across the face, but if it happens again it will be a different story? Im not convinced