Crow races time in fitness bid

TAYLOR Walker says there is no margin for error in his bid to lead Adelaide in its season opener against Essendon, but he has marked young buck Darcy Fogarty and defender Tom Doedee for Etihad Stadium debuts.

Key midfielder Brad Crouch is further advanced in training loads than Walker, but no certainty to face the Bombers after missing the 26-point JLT series loss to Port Adelaide last Saturday with an abdominal strain. Walker, who spent the weekend at home in Broken Hill, missed the Crows’ pre-season campaign because of a plantar fascia strain but didn’t have surgery on his left foot.

“I am still building up,” said Walker, who aims to embark on a session at full tilt by “the end of the week”.

Walker was forced to wear a protective moon boot last month while his availability for the season opener will be determined in consultation with club hierarchy.

“That is the discussion we are going to have,” Walker told Triple M. “I will do everything we have planned. To play in Round 1 I have to do everything right.”

Fogarty, Adelaide’s top draft pick at No. 12 in the 2017 AFL draft, booted three goals against the Power at Alberton and looms as inspired cover for Walker.

“He is impressive,” said Walker of 94kg Fogarty, who wears the No. 32 jumper worn by club legend Mark Ricciuto. “I have seen a fair bit this pre-season what he can produce so for him to be able to do that in his second game of AFL was impressive.”

Walker also indicated Doedee, Adelaide’s selection surprise at the 2015 national AFL draft, would finally debut with the club needing a replacement for Jake Lever, now at Melbourne.