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Tex is different and he should be celebrated as Crows captain

Roar Guru
18th January, 2015
24

Is Taylor ‘Tex’ Walker a bogan and more to the point does it really matter? Well, firstly let’s take a look at what Australia’s Macquarie Dictionary defines as a bogan.

It is: “a person, generally from an outer suburb of a city or town and from a lower socio-economic background, viewed as uncultured”.

I’ll address that later, but I see that already and predictably the debate is raging about why Tex got the Adelaide captaincy ahead of Rory Sloane or Patrick Dangerfield. As well as whether Tex can handle the top job.

The conventional wisdom is that Dangerfield missed out because he can’t commit to the club long term and giving the role to a player who ups and leaves the next year simply doesn’t make sense. As for why Rory didn’t get the gig, clearly he wasn’t rated ahead of Tex by the coach.

It never ceases to amaze and disappoint me the amount of so called Crows fans who tend to knock their own and simply look for the negatives.

Of all the comments on forums that have been made in recent days, an unnamed fan summed it up perfectly. She was commenting on former North Melbourne star and now media commentator David King’s comparison of Tex to Wayne Carey.

“Really, all Tex Walker needs to be is himself. He’s not Wayne Carey or any other past captain. He will have his own unique personality and leadership ability to bring into the role.”

And that’s what Tex will do, he will grow into the role both on and off the field.

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I described Tex’s first media conference as captain as safe and professional. He made no mistakes, he wasn’t controversial, he stayed on message talking team and club, and he walked out with the media on his side. Don’t forget he read a prepared statement and then took questions in front of his teammates and coaches – intimidating for anyone. In fact such displays are usually done when a player is retiring from the game.

I predict Tex will be an outstanding leader on the field. His monolith-like figure in the forward line coupled with his bellowing deep voice barking encouragement during a match will do the job. And eloquent or not, his motivational rant within the confines of the huddle when the chips are down will be heard loud and clear.

Off the field, I have no doubt Tex will endear himself to the club’s long list of sponsors. He relates well, he comes across as unpretentious, yet look careful and you may just observe a subtle glow of the extraordinary.

And his popularity among the fans is of the highest order. Even those who doubt his ability to captain still put him on a pedestal.

So back to my original question. Is Tex a bogan?

Personally I think Tex is different. But I really don’t care either way. I have fiends who are bogans. They are good people, high achievers, with decent morals and plans for success. And yes, they are different. But being different shouldn’t mean that we judge that person harshly.

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