Veteran Adelaide forward Taylor Walker has accepted a six-game AFL ban for uttering a racist remark about a rival reserves player.
The former Crows captain will sit out the last three games of this season, including Saturday night’s Showdown against Port Adelaide, after a meeting with AFL and North Adelaide player Robbie Young on Thursday.
The 31-year-old will not be available for selection for the first three rounds of the 2022 season either.
Walker has apologised for using a racist slur about Young during a SANFL game on July 17, saying there is no excuse for his “unacceptable” words.
Walker was a spectator at the match between Adelaide and North Adelaide when a Crows official overheard a comment and reported the incident to the club, who then referred it to the AFL.
Conciliation was held in Adelaide on Thursday involving Walker, Young, the club official and the AFL, leading to the suspension and the apology.
As well as the six-match ban, it was also decided Walker would make a $20,000 donation to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander program in South Australia.
“There is no excuse or justification for the words I said,” Walker said.
“They are unacceptable and I take full accountability for that. I am deeply ashamed.
“I did not intend to cause harm, but I know and understand that I have caused deep hurt to the official who reported the matter and to Robbie Young, to both their families and to the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
“I apologise to all of them and to the Adelaide and North Adelaide Football Clubs.
“This process has led to a deeper understanding of the hurt that I have caused, and I am embarrassed, ashamed and remorseful.
“The official who reported this showed courage and leadership in calling out what I said, and I am determined to do what I can to emulate his actions.”
Walker will also need to privately address both the Adelaide and North Adelaide football clubs about his behaviour during the next three weeks and undertake an education program.
AFL inclusion and social policy executive Tanya Hosch, who was involved in the conciliation process, applauded the Adelaide official for calling out Walker’s behaviour.
“I have no doubt Walker is remorseful, understands that his comments can trigger trauma and seriously impact the mental health of the individuals, families and communities involved and he has accepted his sanctions,” Hosch said.
Walker’s career was on the line at the end of a disappointing 2020 campaign before he was eventually given a one-year contract for 2021.
He has been in outstanding form this season, kicking 48 goals in 17 games to sit second on the Coleman Medal leaderboard and earn another extension.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
If you notice I do say that it is not enough to simply say sorry, but a first step on a consistent reconciliation process.
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
Good on Tex for saying sorry, Mate - you don't laud someone for saying sorry. Apologising is the absolute least you do in this circumstance. It's not brave, it's not noble, it doesn't take guts. You say sorry when you are wrong because that is a basic tenet of humanity. Shame.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
Good on Tex for saying sorry, the first step to fixing this is admitting you have a problem, and good on the Crows for slamming Tex as hard as they have. I agree with the thoughts mentioned here that racism has no place in our game, particularly racism directed towards Indigenous players who contribute so much at great personal cost to themselves. I do not think an apology goes far enough, he will need to do more to restore the faith of the Indigenous community in him. I know for a fact that the region Tex hales from is atrocious in terms of the living conditions for Aboriginal people, the town of Wilcannia just up the river from Broken Hill has a life expectancy of 37 because of the treatment of the river
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I don't think Cameron could've got out of the place quicker.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Nicks is a patsy installed to fail because of the la-de-da hokey way in which the Crows are steered.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The SANFL stuffed up by not putting Port in first and Norwood second. Instead we had the Kumbaya Crows and a belated sop to Port. -------- Port / Legs would've gave the AFL it's oldest rivalry and 300 years of club history. ------ Instead we have a University "everybody feels good" tutorial workshop running the Crows. ------- His apology is overwrought and ticks all the boxes rescinding any molecule of racism in Tex's body.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
In texs defence former captain.lol.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
That was an unforgivable loss in the Alice.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
… and miss finals, :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
RT
Roar Rookie
Kane Cornes said on SEN today it was as bad a comment as could be made. I took that a meaning as bad a racist comment as you could get. Make of that what you will.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Geez and he is the captain too! Wondering what that means for the broader "culture" at Adelaide?
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Doh i lost my popcorn. :laughing:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
or maybe you can go back to your comments.. I’d suggest Roger Federer has felt more pressure for far longer than Osaka - or doesn’t he count because he’s a white Man?? Are you sure you weren't out on the oval that day next to tex.?
Tezza
Roar Rookie
And I thought the Showdown started on Saturday night :laughing:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Heyyyy, I want some popcorn too. :happy:
Tezza
Roar Rookie
Grabs some popcorn
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
or maybe you can go back to your comments.. I’d suggest Roger Federer has felt more pressure for far longer than Osaka - or doesn’t he count because he’s a white Man?? Are you sure you weren't out on the oval that day next to tex.?
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
This one time at "Crows" camp we decided to fcuk with the whole playing group and take us from a gf one year to a wooden spoon 3 years later..
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
nobody cares about your imaginary friend. :laughing:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Your an ostrich aren't you.