I’m fine to play, Walker insists

CROWS captain Taylor Walker has declared his availability for Friday night’s Adelaide Oval blockbuster against Sydney, saying he was “all good’’ to play.

“I am all good,’’ he said as Adelaide set its sights on redeeming last year’s “embarrassing’’ semi-final exit to the Swans and shoring up top spot.

Walker had X-rays on a sore foot last week and has had his fingers and thumbs bandaged in recent games.

The standout key forward left the field in the first quarter of the 43-point win against Essendon on Saturday night before returning and playing a key role in the win.

“It’s just that time of the year when you are a little bit sore here and there,’’ Walker told Triple M of his bandaged body.

Vice-captain Rory Sloane also expects to play against Sydney, but has more work to do than Walker to get up for a match between two teams that could square off in the finals.

Sloane aggravated a longstanding knee injury in the third quarter against the Bombers but, like Walker, returned to play out the game.

“I pulled up really well,’’ Sloane said. “It’s feeling really good and I’ll do absolutely everything I can recovery-wise to make sure I am right for this week. That’s all I can do.’’

Adelaide will play white-hot Sydney, which has recovered from losing its first six games to surge to fifth with a 12-8 record, for the first time since being knocked out of last year’s finals by six goals.

Walker said that finals loss was still firmly entrenched in the Crows players’ minds and that they were out for redemption on Friday.

“The last time we played them, in the finals, it sits in the back of the players’ minds,’’ he said. “I know it sits in the back of my mind.’’

Crows teammate Richard Douglas said Adelaide was “embarrassed’’ by Sydney at the SCG and had a point to prove this week.

“It’s a massive challenge for us,’’ he said.