Yes, Walker was named as an emergency for the Crows’ match with Collingwood. But he was a non-travelling emergency. An emergency on paper only.
Those that bothered to do some research would know he had already played his game for the weekend, running out for SANFL club Norwood a night earlier.
He was at the game with mates, having a solitary beer – not getting hammered – and it was all during daylight hours with no antisocial behaviour to speak of.
Yet the Fox commentators Gerard Healy and Tony Shaw were scathing, saying it was unprofessional and “silly”. Yet Herald Sun journo Mark Stevens claimed this was evidence he’s already off to GWS. Yet Geelong gun Jimmy Bartel, one of the game’s more laidback identities, questioned Walker’s decision.
Yet Adelaide Advertiser journo Michelangelo Rucci wrote “he needed to be going through his own recovery process”. Yet Katrina Gill from AFL.com.au described the affair as “regrettable”.
Yet Garry Lyon said on Footy Classified it was “not a good look”. Yet Grant Thomas said it was “absolutely silly”.
It’s all been quite bewildering, to be honest.
An AFL player should be allowed to have a solitary beer with mates the day after a game. I’m not even going to qualify that by saying it was regrettable or not a good look.
Too many this weekend have been trying to make an issue out of nothing. In reality, all Walker did was have that one beer with mates the day after a game. Let’s not try and dress it up as anything more.
After all, if there was anything Taylor Walker did over the weekend that could be described as silly or regrettable, the media could do worse than look at footage of an incident from his SANFL game on Friday night.
For someone supposed to be fighting to regain his spot in the seniors, that is what I would term “not a good look”.
Bayman
Guest
Me Ms T, You may be on the wrong track there with that "diet coke" stuff but I like it and I'll tell you why. Many years ago the company for which I worked had a lunch room which was always open for breakfast. Every day, the same four young girls, all pushing about 100 kilos (at least) used to sit around a table and natter before work. Each of them, every morning, drank a diet coke to help eliminate those unwanted kilos. It never ceased to amaze and amuse. A friend mentioned them one day and expressed surprise at how heavy they were. He said, "I didn't realize how big and heavy they all were until one day I went down there for coffee, accidentally dropped my cup - and it rolled toward them!" Classic. I'm not sure the pie would help, either.
Me Ms T
Guest
That what i think at home having a BBQ with mate OVER 18 that's his choice,bet he didnt want this to happen OR maybe he wanted the attention????!!
Me Ms T
Guest
WOW this is so simple u get payed too be a icon/for some little kid a hero for his good work ON AND OFF the field be a good example he gets payed for it!!Oh also this site is a place for comments not augments,that's what i thought!!
pike64
Guest
why can't people mind their own business? when he is not playing he is his own person and can and should do what he likes as long as it is legal.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Beer today, gone tomorrow
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Yeh, Roos is usually pretty reasonable. This is no exception.
Guido
Guest
What a joke. Any athlete will tell you 1 beer is far better for your health than a Coke. Jeez, the Tour De France guys have a sit down meal with wine at night between stages. Maybe some EPO too but that is another story.
Swampy
Guest
Roos spot on. Out of sight, out of mind. No story at all. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Paul Roos explained pretty well just then On the Couch - no big deal, but smart not to have one at midday in full public view.
Me Ms T
Guest
Yep I said a coke n a pie and meaning if my child seen him drinking a beer it sends the wrong message,BTW 4&20 have great pies n a diet coke!some people it's over I couldnt care
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
Actually a beer was probably no worse for someone than "a coke n a pie". (which I assume translates to "a coke and a pie")
VikingSven
Guest
Do use always default to a strawman argument to make a point?
Australian Football: Central Coast Represent
Guest
It was a beer while watching his team play, for god sake -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Me Ms T
Guest
Billy Madison back to school back to school show dad dad I'm not a fool!Boody Penguins
SharksSUCK
Guest
the only logical response from the AFL is to Ban him for life!! O'Doyle Rules
Rob McLean
Guest
I guess whether it's an offence, or not, is in the eye of the beerholder.
Brett McKay
Guest
DiFab, there's AAP reports around today that the Crows have "cleared" Walker of any perceived or actual wrong doing, with Neil Craig saying something along the lines of 'if he had a beer with his mates while watching the footy in his loungeroom, we wouldn't even be talking about it...' Story officially dead...
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
Storm in a beercup?
Redb
Roar Guru
Storm in a teacup. Next!
Rob McLean
Guest
The interesting thing I got from watching the vision of the 'incident' is that he was shielding his beer and looking slightly sheepish, like he knew the sort of commentary that might eventuate if an eagle eye caught him with a beer in his hand. So, a little silly on his behalf. But it's a sad commentary that a bloke can't have a beer with his mates.