Childhood dream drives Walker in flag quest

TAYLOR Walker signed off a phone call with his dad Wayne before Friday night’s preliminary final win over Geelong with a line straight from the late Phil Walsh’s playbook.

“We spoke briefly last night (Thursday night) and it was all about ‘we need to get the job done’ and that was it,” Wayne said.

“Walshy’s major thing was ‘success doesn’t come looking for you’ and this is the mantra these guys have got.

“The guys have worked hard and thoroughly deserve where they’ve got, Pykey (Don Pyke) has really moulded them into a unit and I honestly believe a key strength is the unity of this club.

“They’ve built a culture and it’s a club you want to come to, they’ve gone through a lot of adversity in the last couple of years and if ever there’s an opportunity, I think this is one where they can turn around and thank Phil Walsh (for starting it).”

As Walker triumphantly led the Crows into the Adelaide Oval rooms late on Friday night he had a high-five for his girlfriend then an even bigger high-five for his dad.

Having beaten the Cats, the question now is can the Crows get the job done just one more time against Richmond in the AFL Grand Final on Saturday.

Ten years ago a 17-year-old Walker kicked seven goals in a winning Grand Final for North Broken Hill and this weekend he will lead Adelaide into its first Grand Final in 19 years.

“He bleeds for this footy club, as a kid all he wanted to do was to play for the Adelaide Crows and now he’s got an opportunity,” Wayne said.

Although Walker had to be convinced to take on the captaincy in 2015, he has embraced the responsibility and twice been voted by his peers as the best skipper in the AFL competition.

“It’s something with the three kids I’ve got, they’ve all been in leadership roles,” Wayne said.

“People look up to him at 6ft 5 (196cm) and he embraces everyone and challenges them to improve.”