Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker has announced his return to the AFL this Thursday Night against the Cats, marking his comeback after a prolonged absence due to a hamstring injury since Round 8. Alongside him, Hugo Hall-Kahan will make his debut for the Crows.
Hall-Kahan joined the team last week through the mid-season draft and has already made a strong impression, earning a spot in the lineup for the match against Geelong. The 22-year-old is expected to partner with Walker, who recently returned to the SANFL before the bye and scored five goals in that game.
Walker shared his excitement about returning to the field, saying, “Nicksy said last night if I get through the main session, then he’d pick me.” This statement was made during an interview on Triple M.
Crows coach Matthew Nicks expressed his admiration for Walker’s performance since rejoining the reserves side. He highlighted Walker’s exceptional leadership both on and off the field. “It’s amazing when we get reports back from our young players on things they experience, and how they talk about his leadership, you know, on field, even leading into the game,” Nicks said before Monday training.
In addition to Walker and Hall-Kahan, key players Mitch Hinge and Callum Ah Chee are set to be included in the squad for the upcoming match. Ah Chee, who suffered a thumb injury in the previous game against the Hawks, has been training well and is expected to be available.
Hinge, who has only played one game this season, is also preparing to return from an ankle injury. Walker confirmed, “He trained well as well, I think he’s available for selection.”
However, the Crows will face challenges as they will be without star player Riley Thilthorpe, who is serving a suspension. Additionally, Isaac Cumming, who sustained a hamstring injury in Round 10, has experienced a setback during training.
Currently, Adelaide is in eighth place on the ladder, having secured six wins in 11 games. The next three weeks will be crucial for the team, starting with a tough matchup against Geelong, followed by games against the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne. A more favorable stretch will come later, with matches against Port Adelaide and West Coast.
This period could determine the direction of the Crows’ season, as they look to build momentum and secure their position in the competition.
