Racism saga may cloud Walker's place in Crows team once he returns, says Kane Cornes
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes says it's too early to suggest that Taylor Walker will "fit in" with the Crows' playing group after the former Adelaide skipper was involved in a racism saga.
Walker earlier today was suspended and hit with a $20,000 fine after racially abusing ex-St Kilda and current North Adelaide player Robbie Young during a SANFL game.
The Crows have since confirmed that the 31-year-old will still play next season.
Adelaide skipper Rory Sloane said in a recent interview that he had no doubt Walker will fit in just fine with his teammates once he returns.
"He will slot in seamlessly I reckon, it will be great to have him back. I know the boys have missed him," Sloane told The Advertiser.
Taylor Walker of the Adelaide Crows and Rory Sloane Getty
The highly publicised racism saga occurred only weeks after Walker signed a new one-year deal for 2022.
He will still have three matches to serve on the sidelines next year.
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Responding to Sloane's comments, Cornes said it wasn't the right time to make that call.
"Rory would be probably the most optimistic person I've ever come across - It's a magnificent trait, Rory turns anything negative into a positive, I respect him enormously for that," Cornes told SEN.
"It's one of his great traits, but I don't know if Taylor Walker is going to fit in seamlessly, I don't know if we can make that call yet, can we?
"I don't know how the Indigenous players at Adelaide are feeling, I don't. Rory's been away with Taylor Walker, they holidayed in the off-season to Noosa with their families, and you've seen those images on social media, so he's got a better insight than me.
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"I don't know behind the scenes how (Adeliade coach) Matthew Nicks is feeling, I saw a shattered Matthew Nicks only a few months ago, I saw shattered players, I saw a shattered Eddie Betts and Shaun Burgoyne.
"So I can't confidently say Taylor Walker is going to fit in seamlessly."
