Adelaide captain Taylor Walker hopes his AFL club offers stalwart Scott Thompson a new contract.
Adelaide hierarchy will likely decide this week whether to table a fresh deal to the 33-year-old Thompson, who may not be granted his wish of continuing at the Crows.
But Walker hopes the 306-game veteran is retained by the Crows, who bowed out of the premiership hunt with a semi-final loss to Sydney on Saturday night.
“Himself, his management and the club will decide that … but I have loved playing with Thommo,” Walker told reporters in Adelaide on Sunday.
“Not only his on-field stuff but his off-field stuff, he teaches me a lot as a leader, as a person, his ability to teach all the young midfilelders.
“So he has got a lot to give to the footy club. I would love to see him go around again.”
The heavy defeat to the Swans was the second consecutive season the Crows have been semi-final losers but Walker believed his club’s premiership window remained open.
“One-hundred per cent. I have got a lot of confidence and belief in the group we have got,” he said.
The Crows skipper admitted anger at again falling at the same stage of the season but was pleased at the club’s improvement over the course of the year.
“We have made some steps but we need to make more big steps to get what we want,” he said.
“As a footy club we set some clear goals going into finals and we wanted to play in a premiership and we didn’t.
“As a captain I’m very proud of what we have achieved but I’m not happy.
“We’re a good footy club but we want to be a great footy club. And do to that we need to get better.”
The Crows are braced to lose football operations manager David Noble to a similar role at rivals Brisbane.
Vocans
Guest
Well, that was wrong! Unfortunately, I think the Crows have blundered, unless they are giving him a farewell game. Unlikely. If Thommo and the Crows want him to stay on he needs to find two yards of pace. I hate to be saying this because ... it's Thommo.
Vocans
Guest
Watching him come of the field on Saturday, I have no doubt Thommo knows he's played his last game for the Crows. If Adelaide are to go further into the finals they need an elite midfield, and Thommo's elite days are past. I'm not sure Lyons is part of the answer either. Greenwood is showing signs as well as some others in the reserves. Look to recruit someone elite.
Lamby
Roar Rookie
I think for Thommo to play on the Crows would need to do 2 things: - manage the games he plays more. He probably needs a few more games rest during the year - De-list/drop Douglas and McKay. And Thommo plays the Douglas role - less minutes in and more minutes up front. But like I was saying, that less minutes in the middle and more minutes up forward is better 'spent' on a young kid like Milera or Riley Knight to allow them to develop, not as the 'pension' spot. But I think the Crows would be better off playing Riley Knight and Cam Ellis-Yolmen instead of him - CEY and let Brad Crouch play the Thommo role.
Ants32
Roar Rookie
As a Crow fan, I do hope Thommo plays on. He's still easily in the best 18, let alone 22. If he hits his fitness markers going into pre-season, I hope that they offer him a new contract, if that's what he wants. :/
Lamby
Roar Rookie
No, Thommo is cooked. He has gone from a 30+ possessions a game elite player to a 20 possession game just holding onto his spot. No run into defense either. Crows have three 150+ game midfielders, Thommo, Douglas & McKay, those guys should be shouldering the midfield work, but they are not. Those guys are averaging 15-20 possessions a game and we are relying on the guys with less than 50 games - Crouchx2, Atkins & Lyons. The young guys should be given the luxury of playing the 15-20 possession games not the other way round.