Taylor Walker NAB rising Star

[JK]

Should I post pictures of Mathew Pavlich and Ken McGregor in here? Be about as cutting edge.

And Adam Morgan?

[JK]

Interesting article from Dale Lewis in this mornings rag, can't say I disagree with him

[Gingernuts]

Interesting article from Dale Lewis in this mornings rag, can't say I disagree with him

He makes some interesting points, but it's way to early in his career to be making a call like that. Walker has supported the club since we was knee high and is now realising his dream. He is only in his 3rd season, and his second with actual gametime at the top level. By season's end I am confident he will have his spot in the side cemented.

[JK]

Interesting article from Dale Lewis in this mornings rag, can't say I disagree with him

He makes some interesting points, but it's way to early in his career to be making a call like that. Walker has supported the club since we was knee high and is now realising his dream. He is only in his 3rd season, and his second with actual gametime at the top level. By season's end I am confident he will have his spot in the side cemented.

Fair points mate, but it's also a fine line between "too early" and "too late".

Watching Walks at Norwood his body language looked VERY different to previous years, and his input and impact was down too ... I agree also with Lewis that Tippett should be the number 1 go to man and that a player like Walker probably has more opportunity to shine in an environment where his natural flair is acceptable.

Im not in the inner circle at West Lakes nor have I spoken to Walks, so obviously this is just my own guess from afar.

[brent-83]

Interesting article from Dale Lewis in this mornings rag, can't say I disagree with him

He makes some interesting points, but it's way to early in his career to be making a call like that. Walker has supported the club since we was knee high and is now realising his dream. He is only in his 3rd season, and his second with actual gametime at the top level. By season's end I am confident he will have his spot in the side cemented.

Fair points mate, but it's also a fine line between "too early" and "too late".

Watching Walks at Norwood his body language looked VERY different to previous years, and his input and impact was down too ... I agree also with Lewis that Tippett should be the number 1 go to man and that a player like Walker probably has more opportunity to shine in an environment where his natural flair is acceptable.

Im not in the inner circle at West Lakes nor have I spoken to Walks, so obviously this is just my own guess from afar.

I haven't read the article, so I can't comment too much on that but...

I am of the belief that Walker and Tippett can be #1 & #2 depending on circumstances and matchups. Walker must play at FF though and Tippett at CHF. I find it pretty hard to believe that Craigy and the Crows are trying to destroy his natural flair. If that is the case, then he needs to go to save his career.

Last year I was more than fine with him playing 10-15 games, but believe he should have played all 22 this year, and Burton used as a depth player.

Remember though, Walker celebrated his 20th birthday a few weeks ago. How many key forwards do you see coming into the league and taking it by storm at 18-19-20? Not many at all. He will be up and down and he needs to keep his attitude as high as possible, because he has all the talent in the world.

[Felch]

Interesting article from Dale Lewis in this mornings rag, can't say I disagree with him

He makes some interesting points, but it's way to early in his career to be making a call like that. Walker has supported the club since we was knee high and is now realising his dream. He is only in his 3rd season, and his second with actual gametime at the top level. By season's end I am confident he will have his spot in the side cemented.

Fair points mate, but it's also a fine line between "too early" and "too late".

Watching Walks at Norwood his body language looked VERY different to previous years, and his input and impact was down too ... I agree also with Lewis that Tippett should be the number 1 go to man and that a player like Walker probably has more opportunity to shine in an environment where his natural flair is acceptable.

Im not in the inner circle at West Lakes nor have I spoken to Walks, so obviously this is just my own guess from afar.

I haven't read the article, so I can't comment too much on that but...

I am of the belief that Walker and Tippett can be #1 & #2 depending on circumstances and matchups. Walker must play at FF though and Tippett at CHF. I find it pretty hard to believe that Craigy and the Crows are trying to destroy his natural flair. If that is the case, then he needs to go to save his career.

Last year I was more than fine with him playing 10-15 games, but believe he should have played all 22 this year, and Burton used as a depth player.

Remember though, Walker celebrated his 20th birthday a few weeks ago. How many key forwards do you see coming into the league and taking it by storm at 18-19-20? Not many at all. He will be up and down and he needs to keep his attitude as high as possible, because he has all the talent in the world.

Not many, Walker included !!!

How are the Crows destroying his 'natural flair'? If 'natural flair' means burning team mates and playing selfishly, then bye-bye Walker. He has to fit into the team, not the other way around.

[whufc]

Good read by Lewis today,

Lewis is the manager of TJS cleaning and came into my work today, i had an interesting chat with him, he truly believes what he wrote and think as every week goes by the Gold Coast are closer to signing him.

[brent-83]

Read the article just then. Load of rubbish.

[the wonder elephant]

watch him go elsewhere and dominate !! Why cant the crows just treat him as essendon has treated gumby play the bloke and just let him play give him the confidence that he will get a game week in week out and watch him thrive . would think he would end up kicking min 50 goals for the year if he knew his spot wasnt in doubt each week If at the end of the season this hasent happened then look at moving him on .

[JK]

How are the Crows destroying his 'natural flair'? If 'natural flair' means burning team mates and playing selfishly, then bye-bye Walker. He has to fit into the team, not the other way around.

Fair point and fair question, and my answer is, NFI lol.

Whatever the reason though, he's not playing with that swagger in the local league that he once had, and was kicking goals from virtually anywhere.

I think Brent's suggestion of Tippett at CHF has fair merit, but you would have to think he would make a pretty fair FF too, so I guess I can understand the Crows looking to establish him in the role for a long time to come.

I think the other valid point of Lewis' article, is that Walks was born a decade or 2 too late when players of his ilk were perfectly suited .. As I've been saying for quite sometime he doesn't possess either lightning pace, a 6ft 6+ frame or a devastating vertical leap and I believe that will always make it hard for him to be a primary forward option.

Hope Im completely wrong and he dominates, because he's a top young lad.

[whufc]

He is an out and out full forward and should be used in that way,

Watch Craigy try and re-invent him as running half back flanker.

[Felch]

That is the problem WHUFC, he is a natural full forward by the way he plays. He isnt tall or big enough though to beat the Carliles, Scarletts, Lakes, and other big fullbacks on a regular basis. He will get monstered every week. He has to learn to play other ways, otherwise he wont fit in to any sides forward structure, anywhere. If he doesnt add some dimensions to his game, he will end up a 150-plus game player with Norwood.

[Psyber]

That is the problem WHUFC, he is a natural full forward by the way he plays. He isnt tall or big enough though to beat the Carliles, Scarletts, Lakes, and other big fullbacks on a regular basis. He will get monstered every week. He has to learn to play other ways, otherwise he wont fit in to any sides forward structure, anywhere. If he doesnt add some dimensions to his game, he will end up a 150-plus game player with Norwood.

You have beautifully summed up what I have been trying to say elsewhere..
Walker seems to be having trouble believing it though.

[brent-83]

That is the problem WHUFC, he is a natural full forward by the way he plays. He isnt tall or big enough though to beat the Carliles, Scarletts, Lakes, and other big fullbacks on a regular basis. He will get monstered every week. He has to learn to play other ways, otherwise he wont fit in to any sides forward structure, anywhere. If he doesnt add some dimensions to his game, he will end up a 150-plus game player with Norwood.

What, you mean he can't beat some of the top 5 defenders in the league in a career that is all of 20 games? He has just turned 20 and his body is still developing. His height, I don't think is an issue - he is the same height as Scarlett. He just needs a bigger body, which he will get in the coming years. He added considerable size in the last preseason and I don't see why he couldnt do it again over the next few years. He won't get monstered then...

[White Line Fever]

What about Fletcher.

Size means nothing if your a smart player.
Taylor will develop into a powerhouse forward of the AFL

[Psyber]

Watching the Crows match, I got the impression that Walker has finally gotten the message.
His 2 goals were important, but even more important was to fact that he did contest loose balls, chase opponents, and assist team mates.
He wasn't totally consistent all day but he was making the effort this time.

[cokadonkeytoo]

I feel Taylor is at a point where he needs to get a bit of arrogance and swagger about himself. Use that to take the game on and feel as though he can beat anyone, at the moment he almost looks over awed when he comes up against a strong quality defender. He needs to use his strengths like his evasiveness and strong hands, and i do agree it was great to see him put a few more second efforts in than normal. Nothing compares to the bomb he launched in the last (although kicking with a gale) from the square, good to see him take the responsibility, i would say that 90% of the rest of the team wouldve tried to spot someone up.

[JK]

I feel Taylor is at a point where he needs to get a bit of arrogance and swagger about himself. Use that to take the game on and feel as though he can beat anyone, at the moment he almost looks over awed when he comes up against a strong quality defender. He needs to use his strengths like his evasiveness and strong hands, and i do agree it was great to see him put a few more second efforts in than normal. Nothing compares to the bomb he launched in the last (although kicking with a gale) from the square, good to see him take the responsibility, i would say that 90% of the rest of the team wouldve tried to spot someone up.

If he can find that swagger you're referring to mate, he can bomb goals like that on a weekly basis because he has that ability ... I just hope he can gain the ability to find the ball regularly enough to do it.

[whufc]

I feel Taylor is at a point where he needs to get a bit of arrogance and swagger about himself. Use that to take the game on and feel as though he can beat anyone, at the moment he almost looks over awed when he comes up against a strong quality defender. He needs to use his strengths like his evasiveness and strong hands, and i do agree it was great to see him put a few more second efforts in than normal. Nothing compares to the bomb he launched in the last (although kicking with a gale) from the square, good to see him take the responsibility, i would say that 90% of the rest of the team wouldve tried to spot someone up.

Not having a go at all mate but its funny how people view the game/players differently.

To me Walker looks like he is playing too arrogantly, he wants everything delivered on a platter, doesn't want to work hard and doesn't want to earn his own football which on occasions you must do.

I get the feeling he has dominated football game ever since he was little right up to SANFL league with Norwood. All a sudden he is not tearing games apart like he has always done and his now second guessing himself and slightly gone into sulk mode.

Just my personal views everyones entitled to see things different, thats what make forums like these enjoyable.

[tiger07andbeyond]

he would be a good player in a good side