Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Retiring Adelaide great Taylor Walker appears set to face Fremantle on Friday night, despite the club initially planning to rest the veteran forward.
Walker was part of a 26-player squad on a flight to Perth on Wednesday afternoon ahead of a crunch clash against the Dockers at Optus Stadium.
The 36-year-old announced earlier this week that he would bow out at season’s end, potentially paving the way for an emotion-charged night against Freo in a game of great ladder significance for both sides.
Fellow key forward Darcy Fogarty is set to return to the side after serving a three-game suspension, while the Crows confirmed Alex Neal-Bullen will miss the game due to personal reasons.
It is understood Neal-Bullen is awaiting the birth of his second child, meaning he won’t return to the scene of his 2021 premiership triumph with Melbourne.
“Alex is staying home for family reasons, and all our thoughts are with him and his wife,” Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said on Wednesday of Neal-Bullen, who has played in all bar one match for the Crows since making the move from the Demons at the end of 2024.
Athletic ruckman Lachlan McAndrew is set to be another handy inclusion for Adelaide after being managed last week, set to replace Reilly O’Brien, who did not fly.
Jake Soligo also made the flight after being managed against Richmond, with James Borlase and Luke Nankervis also making the trip.
More to come
