Taylor walker

[Stiffy_18]

Stiffy 18 the difference why Craigy not concerned about Tippett etc becoming a star is that they already almost are and Walker has yet to cement a spot albeit coaches decision but his last game for Crows was very poor .
Yes he will be the forward we require but word is he can get ahead of himself .
But like all hope Burton isnt re signed as agree strongly with other posters he is the most selfish glory seeker player we ever had and we desperately needed him to lead up the field on sat to not only take a pass but give Tippett a one on one opportunity rather than standing behind his player letting him mark and run off him easily when he wasnt jumping all other tippett and Rowdy leaving no crumbers. This will give Walker the chance to become the player we pray for.
Either Mcleod must retire or Edwardes not given a new contract as well not only so we dont have them all retiring same year that GC get all their picks but to realease some salary to ensure we sign Tippett espec. and Dangers, Knights ,Vince Mackay etc on long time contracts to get that premiership that is waiting for us

Thats all well and good but Tippett, Mackay, Vince etc were not always at the level they are at now.

Tippett played most of the games last year, so did Mackay and so did Vince.

The point is that Craig is not affraid of star power as some are ridicilously suggesting. If he was then Tippett, Mackay and Vince would not get their games, or game time they did last year.

There is no doubt that Craig has high expectations of his players and there are some non-negotiables. If you perform to his expectations, you WILL get a game. If you are not addressing the things that he wants you to address then you are not going to get that chance.

Quite simply, all the players in our team at the moment have gone through what Walker has gone through. Just because he happens to be a goal kicking forward, people want him handled differently. Well thats not going to happen and neither should it. You earn your stripes, you don't get it given on a platter when there are other options (just as good or better) available for now.

Walker will get his chance and take it with both hands but the reality is that he has to earn it and I have no doubt he will. And because of Craig's demands, Walker will end up being a better player in the long run.

 

[Jetwa5h]

I would like to see the 30 plus guys start to be more depth type players

 

[slippery crow]

I would like to see the 30 plus guys start to be more depth type players

IMO Burton and Shirley should go to create opportunities for Walker and Sloane.

However if NC decides to keep the 30+ year old players on the list they need to be told that they are no longer automatic selections and would need to win and maintain their spot on performances, then the players can decide if they want to take the risk and potentially bow out like a Scott Lucas

 

[amer]

So what you're saying Carl, is that Craigy doesn't want to have players who can rip games apart? Just about the most absurd thing I've read on here.

 

[arrowman]

As stupid as the article is i wouldnt be suprised if NC actually traded Walker i get the feeling he dosnt rate Walker that highly and would rather have a quality ruckmen

You should be writing for Fox Sports.

 

[slippery crow]

Burton has now signalled his intention to play on and says he has the support of Craig to do so (as per their one-on-one meeting in the past month). Not sure if his performances over the past fortnight will change Craig's mind?

I'll be concerned if at least 2 of the 6 oldies don't move on...we need to complete the transition and while he won't be at his peak, Walker will be a very useful forward next year (40+ goals) and will epitomise a brash, new confident Crows who will step up when the pressure is on (led by our twin superheroes Tippett and Dangerfield).

can I asked where or how was this signalled

 

[King Elvis]

I agree in principle, but do you think that's the way the players will vote it? Stevens & Doughty are obviously highly respected and we as outsiders can't really understand what kind of role they have played.

I rate and respect both of those guys; but, again, similar to my reasoning behind Burton going (being about Walker, not Burton), this is the same. It's got nothing to do with Stevens/Doughty, and everything to do with guys like Van Berlo, Dangerfield and Knights, who are going to have the future of the Club in their hands - let's give it to them now while the older guys will still be around for a year (or two).

 

[finn]

walker is a natural full forward - trying to make him a hit up forward would rob him of his best weapon - the ability to read the flight of the ball quicker than his opponent in a one on one contest near the goals and his innate game nous. his 'supposed' lack of second efforts may cost the occasional goal but he'll probably make that up with one kicked which didn't exist.

i believe he'll be an extremely good player who adelaide would be silly to let go - and given he was re-signed for two years this year - highly unlikely a trade would happen especially given his potential versus the pick that was used to take him. this plus his youth suggests that he'll be around for at least 2010 - when he'll probably be worth even more on the market.

one problem i do see with the crows is the lack of a natural forward in their coaching ranks - natural forwards tend to think a little differently and it would be good to have, for example, a jarman, d around to chat with mr walker and tippett.

 

[KUNG FU]

I rate and respect both of those guys; but, again, similar to my reasoning behind Burton going (being about Walker, not Burton), this is the same. It's got nothing to do with Stevens/Doughty, and everything to do with guys like Van Berlo, Dangerfield and Knights, who are going to have the future of the Club in their hands - let's give it to them now while the older guys will still be around for a year (or two).

I don't think we are engaged in the same debate. I'm saying what will happen, you're saying what should happen. If the players don't want it, then it shouldn't happen. Hopefully the players are willing to back some youngsters in or even better, those youngsters have amply demonstrated their leadership qualities and earn those spots on merit.

 

[The Crow Show]

Ignoring the fact that we won't trade him.

If we were to trade Walker, why would we give him to another finals contender in need of a KPP? When it comes to trading you rarley see teams in finals contention dishing of rare commodities to rival clubs.

 

[StonesThrow]

Ignoring the fact that we won't trade him.

If we were to trade Walker, why would we give him to another finals contender in need of a KPP? When it comes to trading you rarley see teams in finals contention dishing of rare commodities to rival clubs.

tis a good point

also why I dont want to see Burgoyne go to a top 8 victorian side

 

[cmndstab]

There's a lot of junk in this thread.

As stupid as the article is i wouldnt be suprised if NC actually traded Walker i get the feeling he dosnt rate Walker that highly and would rather have a quality ruckmen

If all these players leave that are rumored to all our good recruting would of been for nothing

You must be joking. Why do people think that Craig not playing a tall forward for the full year in his FIRST SEASON when he stops performing offensively means that he doesn't like him? It would have been incredible if Walker had played the full first season. Craig has spoken numerous times in glowing terms about Walker, but is also realistic in saying that he has work to do, which by all reports he is doing. Another preseason under the belt and assuming Walker does the work he needs to, you can bet your bottom dollar he'll be in the side for all of next year, barring injury.

Not sure where he'd fit into our side anyway. Dawes is on the up, and Rusling's still very much in the frame for 2010.

My God. I'll forgive you because, hell, I didn't really rate Anthony that much last year either, it's easy to miss a talent in their first half a season, but seriously, you are going to feel so stupid about this comment in a couple of years time.


Carl - I'm not going to bother quoting the stuff you wrote but did you seriously try to use the argument "what will change next year" as a way of saying we won't play Walker next year? By that argument nobody will ever go out of the side. Walker had a good first half of the year and was rewarded by playing that entire half of the year without being dropped. Eventually his offensive efforts died away and he was sent back to the SANFL. He has stuff to work on, and all reports are that he's a good kid and is happy to work on deficiencies and doesn't want to just coast by on natural talent.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he will be a regular player from the beginning of next season.


I'm sick of hearing people claim that Craig and co have "mismanaged" Walker. Watching him, it's very obvious that he has huge talent but that he is not currently using it to his fullest potential. Mismanagement would be letting him get away with poor habits, such as routinely hanging off the back of packs instead of contesting them, or expecting perfect delivery and not following up otherwise, and ultimately wasting part of his potential. The Crows were not interested in Walker being a good player for the Crows this year, they want him to be a great player for years to come and dropping him for poor form was exactly what they needed to do and exactly what they did. The only question that can be seriously asked of the club is why he didn't get back into the side in the last few rounds of the season, which I struggle to answer. I can only assume they were expecting him to meet some benchmark (whether it be on the training track or for Norwood) that he didn't reach.


Also, this crap about Craig hating star players is just that, absolute crap. Craig loves his star players as much as any coach does. He just doesn't want to be in a situation where his clubs needs to have star players to win matches. He wants a system which can win matches without requiring individual brilliance to get up and running. That doesn't stop individually brilliant players from improving the system and the side. Craig is not looking to remove individual genius from the squad, just the requirement to have it to be competitive.

Suggestions that Craig is scared by Walker's talent and doesn't want it messing up his "systems" are little more than paranoid rubbish being refueled by the emotion of another close finals loss.

 

[relapse]

There's a lot of junk in this thread.




You must be joking. Why do people think that Craig not playing a tall forward for the full year in his FIRST SEASON when he stops performing offensively means that he doesn't like him? It would have been incredible if Walker had played the full first season. Craig has spoken numerous times in glowing terms about Walker, but is also realistic in saying that he has work to do, which by all reports he is doing. Another preseason under the belt and assuming Walker does the work he needs to, you can bet your bottom dollar he'll be in the side for all of next year, barring injury.



My God. I'll forgive you because, hell, I didn't really rate Anthony that much last year either, it's easy to miss a talent in their first half a season, but seriously, you are going to feel so stupid about this comment in a couple of years time.


Carl - I'm not going to bother quoting the stuff you wrote but did you seriously try to use the argument "what will change next year" as a way of saying we won't play Walker next year? By that argument nobody will ever go out of the side. Walker had a good first half of the year and was rewarded by playing that entire half of the year without being dropped. Eventually his offensive efforts died away and he was sent back to the SANFL. He has stuff to work on, and all reports are that he's a good kid and is happy to work on deficiencies and doesn't want to just coast by on natural talent.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he will be a regular player from the beginning of next season.


I'm sick of hearing people claim that Craig and co have "mismanaged" Walker. Watching him, it's very obvious that he has huge talent but that he is not currently using it to his fullest potential. Mismanagement would be letting him get away with poor habits, such as routinely hanging off the back of packs instead of contesting them, or expecting perfect delivery and not following up otherwise, and ultimately wasting part of his potential. The Crows were not interested in Walker being a good player for the Crows this year, they want him to be a great player for years to come and dropping him for poor form was exactly what they needed to do and exactly what they did. The only question that can be seriously asked of the club is why he didn't get back into the side in the last few rounds of the season, which I struggle to answer. I can only assume they were expecting him to meet some benchmark (whether it be on the training track or for Norwood) that he didn't reach.


Also, this crap about Craig hating star players is just that, absolute crap. Craig loves his star players as much as any coach does. He just doesn't want to be in a situation where his clubs needs to have star players to win matches. He wants a system which can win matches without requiring individual brilliance to get up and running. That doesn't stop individually brilliant players from improving the system and the side. Craig is not looking to remove individual genius from the squad, just the requirement to have it to be competitive.

Suggestions that Craig is scared by Walker's talent and doesn't want it messing up his "systems" are little more than paranoid rubbish being refueled by the emotion of another close finals loss.

Well if Collingwood, Essendon etc will move heaven and earth to get him I think it shows that they believe that we arent managing him properly otherwise they wouldn't even be bothering to try and go after him.

With all the talk that Burton putting his hand up to play next year apparently with the support of Craig, if he signs a new contract I am worried that Craig is going to make some ridiculous decision. We either play and develop walker or let him go somewhere that actually will.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Well if Collingwood, Essendon etc will move heaven and earth to get him I think it shows that they believe that we arent managing him properly otherwise they wouldn't even be bothering to try and go after him.

With all the talk that Burton putting his hand up to play next year apparently with the support of Craig, if he signs a new contract I am worried that Craig is going to make some ridiculous decision. We either play and develop walker or let him go somewhere that actually will.

......oh cmon

Most players in their first year play a handful of games .......Otten played 2, Sloane played 1, even Tippett was 13-14 games ......does Walker playing 13 games in his first year say he was mis-managed????? .......DON'T THINK SO

 

[jenny61_99]

Danger played just two as well. Walker has been managed well this year. He knows what he has to do to play at this level now. Another pre-season under his belt and he'll be right!

 

[relapse]

......oh cmon

Most players in their first year play a handful of games .......Otten played 2, Sloane played 1, even Tippett was 13-14 games ......does Walker playing 13 games in his first year say he was mis-managed????? .......DON'T THINK SO

Actually it was his second year, the first year he did enough to warrant selection but was kept in the SANFL.

This year he played quite a few games, but everyone got caught up with Burton and how we needed Burton in September

I am just worried that Craig again still hasnt learnt to move on guys like Burton and still thinks they are best option for the future. If Walker doesnt play 22 games next year and the excuse train rolls in about how we should be playing 32 year old has beens that dont deliver in September then we are mismanaging Walker's development.

Neil Craig basically needs to give up being so safe with decisions all the time. He is always trying to publicly that the players need to take risks yet he only takes minimal risks himself.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Danger played just two as well. Walker has been managed well this year. He knows what he has to do to play at this level now. Another pre-season under his belt and he'll be right!

Didn't mention Danger because of the study/schooling years which excludes him from the case Iam trying to make

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Actually it was his second year, the first year he did enough to warrant selection but was kept in the SANFL.

This year he played quite a few games, but everyone got caught up with Burton and how we needed Burton in September

I am just worried that Craig again still hasnt learnt to move on guys like Burton and still thinks they are best option for the future. If Walker doesnt play 22 games next year and the excuse train rolls in about how we should be playing 32 year old has beens that dont deliver in September then we are mismanaging Walker's development.

The thing your missing ....and what has been the cornerstone of Craigs coaching is that he plays players on merit .......they know it and it breeds TEAM harmony

Other teams keep performing senior players (Richmond, Melb) in the twos and play youngsters to get games into them ......that breeds disharmony

At Adelaide the mix of senior and young players are sorted out thru list management (hart, torney delistings, welsh moving on) .......from there teams are picked on player performance .......if it's a 50/50 decision on a player AP youth gets the nod

Walker probably got games this year that was outside of what his performance deserved .......he's got some bad habits and a lot of learning still to do ........he's being managed beautifully, and will be a better player for this years experience

 

[arrowman]

I am just worried that Craig again still hasnt learnt to move on guys like Burton and still thinks they are best option for the future.

"Guys like Burton" would not include "guys like Hart and Torney", then.

 

[arrowman]

There's a lot of junk in this thread.

Except for your post, stabby!

You must be joking. Why do people think that Craig not playing a tall forward for the full year in his FIRST SEASON when he stops performing offensively means that he doesn't like him? It would have been incredible if Walker had played the full first season. ...

Outstanding post. Three thumbs up.

 

[arrowman]

Well if Collingwood, Essendon etc will move heaven and earth to get him I think it shows that they believe that we arent managing him properly otherwise they wouldn't even be bothering to try and go after him.

No, it means they think he is an outstanding talent.

It doesn't mean they think we "aren't managing him properly". They probably know damn well we are managing him properly, and they're sweating off the pack, hoping to pick up a soft possession. *

What they don't realise (or they hope isn't true) is that Taylor probably knows full well where he stands, and what he needs to do, and that he will be a regular first-teamer next year if only a few things change and improve.

We are not Melbourne, or Richmond, or Fremantle. We do not need to throw games at first or second year players without demanding standards from them, to appease our supporters and the media.

*That's assuming there is any factual basis for the story - we are entering the footy silly season, remember.

 

[relapse]

No, it means they think he is an outstanding talent.

It doesn't mean they think we "aren't managing him properly". They probably know damn well we are managing him properly, and they're sweating off the pack, hoping to pick up a soft possession. *

What they don't realise (or they hope isn't true) is that Taylor probably knows full well where he stands, and what he needs to do, and that he will be a regular first-teamer next year if only a few things change and improve.

We are not Melbourne, or Richmond, or Fremantle. We do not need to throw games at first or second year players without demanding standards from them, to appease our supporters and the media.

*That's assuming there is any factual basis for the story - we are entering the footy silly season, remember.

No but we will gift games to someone like Burton based on past glories who spent Saturday night trying to take selfish speccies and then spent the second half doing nothing because he was blown up. Craig even admitted in the presser earlier this year that Burton only had to get match fitness and never had to prove himself to get back into the side, so lets not go down the path of trying to say that all players need to perform to be selected there are certain players at the club who will play irrespective of their form especially when coming into finals where Craig loaded up the team with the senior players and none of them stood up.

On the other point about his management, why would Collingwood and Essendon be trying to poach a player that is apparently being excellent managed ??? Seriously, there is something up here whether people want to believe it or not. Either Walker is unhappy or clubs like the Bombers and Maggies think that we are mismanaging him or that the AFC doesnt rate him. You dont send scouts over to watch a guy unless you think you have a chance to poach them away. If everything was going well as in Tex is happy and being well managed a club would be ridiculous to go to this length to try and poach him.

 

[King Elvis]

Well if Collingwood, Essendon etc will move heaven and earth to get him I think it shows that they believe that we arent managing him properly otherwise they wouldn't even be bothering to try and go after him.

Meh.

He's a gun, of course they want him; same as we'd grab Daniel Rich or Michael Hurley if we could.

On the other point about his management, why would Collingwood and Essendon be trying to poach a player that is apparently being excellent managed ??? Seriously, there is something up here whether people want to believe it or not. Either Walker is unhappy or clubs like the Bombers and Maggies think that we are mismanaging him or that the AFC doesnt rate him. You dont send scouts over to watch a guy unless you think you have a chance to poach them away. If everything was going well as in Tex is happy and being well managed a club would be ridiculous to go to this length to try and poach him.

They'd be negligent if they weren't.

Basically, we've got an article which is filled with nothing more substantial than rumour and innuendo, and obvious statements that other Clubs would love to steal an immensely talented kid. It's a load of crap.

'A club would be ridiculous to get to this length to try and poach him.'

What length have they gone to?

 

[Vader]

Well if Collingwood, Essendon etc will move heaven and earth to get him I think it shows that they believe that we arent managing him properly otherwise they wouldn't even be bothering to try and go after him.

With all the talk that Burton putting his hand up to play next year apparently with the support of Craig, if he signs a new contract I am worried that Craig is going to make some ridiculous decision. We either play and develop walker or let him go somewhere that actually will.

Bollocks. Collingwood & Essendon (primarily the latter) are prepared to move heaven and earth to get him for three reasons:
1. They recognise that the ability to kick a winning score is critical for long term success.
2. They have no young, talented forwards of their own.
3. They recognise that Walker is a genuine, AFL-grade forward talent.

It has absolutely nothing to do with any mismanagement of Walker, or supposed "destination disease" type policy of playing Burton ahead of him - which I would submit is a figment of your imagination.

EDIT: Have Collingwood even been mentioned in those articles which mentioned the presence of scouts at Walker's SANFL games? The pies DO have a reasonable forward line and probably have less reason to be interested in Walker. The Bombers on the other hand....

 

[TheMelbourneCrow]

I have not seen the articles, but there has not been 1 mention of it in the melbourne papers.
I call bollocks.
Did Rucci write the article?

If there was any truth to it, what do you think "Heaven and Earth Means"

Dream Trade (IMO no chance in hell to happen)
Walker + Shirley + Pick 2 = Watson + Hurley + Jetta (though I would do the trade without Jetta)