The captain of the Adelaide Football Club, Taylor Walker, endured more than any other newly appointed captain ever this past season following the passing of senior coach Phil Walsh.
Despite this a resilient Adelaide side drove themselves into the finals to face off against the Western Bulldogs in the first elimination final.
The match, a display of classy attack, saw the score finish 109-102, with a play initiated by Walker himself proving crucial. He charged up the wing of the MCG and calmly speared the ball directly on to Charlie Cameron’s chest, determining the final result.
With pre-season on the way can Adelaide emulate their performance in 2015 for the 2016 season?
Despite talented losses, namely Patrick Dangerfield, their quality moves throughout the trade period saw them bring in other players such as Troy Menzel and Curtly Hampton. They will provide outside speed, something severely lacking in their game this past season.
A smart football brain has been appointed as head coach in Don Pyke who recently spent time on the grand finalists West Coast Eagles staff.
Even with these moves and the obvious talent that Adelaide was able to retain, the pivotal part to their side is ‘Tex’.
Admittedly a captain isn’t everything to a football team and a leadership group extends further than just a captain. But the big-bodied forward leads by example, with over 50 goals in 2015 completing his job as a key forward.
Along with this he galvanised a hurting team in circumstances that have been well documented. There is no better man for the job and in 2016 Adelaide have a legitimate chance of going back into September, on the back of great leadership and talent.
Walker is a role model for all as he has matured into a known figure in the AFL, a fine man and a fine player.
Ryan Buckland
Expert
Walker was an inspired choice as leader, and showed as much throughout 2015. Adelaide, hmmmm, its remarkably hard to pick what's going to happen given how central Patrick Dangerfield is to almost everything they do. Their forward line looks amongst the strongest in the league, and their midfield is still above average without Dangerfield (I think). Defence is the issue. Adelaide are still a couple of players short down back, and I'm a little surprised they didn't chase someone like Will Schofield from West Coast or Matt Suckling from the Hawks during the trade period - both mobile and flexible. (don't get me wrong, I'm very pleased the Eagles have excellent depth at key defender...)
Liam Sheedy
Roar Guru
I still think the defensive half is a bit of a concern, as far as talls are concerned. And still not enough support for Jacobs. Walker did lead brilliantly though. Certainly took away any doubts people had whether he was the right choice as captain.
WhereIsGene
Guest
Yup Tex was great against the Doggies. He vanished like a puff of wind the following week against the Hawks though. Tough to see Adelaide making the finals with a new coach, a brutal fixture and no Dangerfield.