Source : ABC NEWS
Taylor Walker will go down in history as an AFL legend but when all is said and done, the boy from the bush wants to return home and attempt to win a premiership in the town that made him.
Walker announced his retirement from the Adelaide Crows Football Club on Monday after 19 seasons playing for the AFL club.
The 36-year-old’s playing career started in the outback New South Wales community of Broken Hill, located just over the South Australian border.
“I’ve said to my two best mates that are still playing back in Broken Hill that I want to go and try and win a premiership back there, so we’ll try and do that next year,” he said in his retirement announcement speech.
Jayden Kelly is one of those mates and says he is holding Walker to that promise.
Jayden Kelly played junior footy with Walker, and is hopeful he’ll come back to Broken Hill and play. (ABC News: Bill Ormonde)
“He has mentioned it once or twice that he would love to [come back]. So there’s myself and a couple of his close mates that are just hanging on and still playing local footy back here,” he said.
Walker is no stranger to a winning a flag with the North Broken Hill Football Club.
As a self-proclaimed “skinny kid from Broken Hill”, the then 17-year-old helped the Bulldogs to premiership glory in 2007.
Taylor Walker (left) was instrumental in the 2007 grand final, when the North Broken Hill Bulldogs won. (Supplied: Gavin Schmidt)
Broken Hill inspiration
But while Taylor Walker will undoubtably be remembered for his on-field contributions for the Crows, the legacy he leaves in Broken Hill is just as significant.
Kelly said Walker’s career had shown young people in the town what could be possible.
“He’s really put us on the map,”
he said.
“He’s shown young kids in Broken Hill, if they put their mind to it and by working hard, what they can achieve.”
Kelly, who played junior football alongside Walker, said he remembered feeling it was “unreal” to see a boy from Broken Hill picked when he was drafted .
“Being able to go and live out a childhood dream; he supported the crows growing up and had all the Tony Modra posters all over his wall,” he said.
“He loved everything Crows and when he got the phone call that they were interested … he was over the moon.”
Taylor Walker plays alongside fellow Crow and Broken Hill export Isaac Cumming. (Supplied: AFC Media)
Wayne Walker is Taylor Walker’s dad who proudly remains living in the outback town.
He said he had most admired his son’s relationship with his family, the Adelaide Crows and club supporters.
“He’s always never forgotten where he come from. His mates are so dear to him, it’s not funny, they keep him grounded,”
he said.
“That’s probably one thing he has been, he’s been very grounded during the whole 19 years.”
Walker’s friends and family say he’s never forgotten where he came from. (Supplied: Gavin Schmidt)
It is a sentiment Walker’s friend, Jayden Kelly agreed with.
“He’s had so many ups and downs, the resilience he has shown, and he’s never forgotten where he’s come from,” he said.
“He’s so loyal to the people around him, to his family, and to the town that he grew up in.
“A lot of people that move away from their home towns seem to forget, but that’s one thing he’s never forgotten, is where he’s from.“
