Taylor Walker’s appointment as Crows captain ‘wonderful news’ for hometown of Broken Hill
The Broken Hill community has thrown its support behind the appointment of Taylor Walker as the new Adelaide Crows captain.
Walker is the seventh player to be appointed Crows captain and has bounced back from an ACL injury and knee reconstruction in the past two years.
He is the first-ever Broken Hill footballer to captain an AFL team.
The 24-year-old recently signed a contract extension keeping him with the Crows until at least 2018.
The latest announcement was welcome news for Walker’s mother, Marg Walker.
“It’s wonderful news,” she said.
“I probably did know for a little while that it may have been on the cards, he had to think about it whether he was up for that sort of job.
“But he did text me I think it was late last week, Thursday or Friday so I’m exceptionally excited for him.”
‘Special for football in Broken Hill’
Broken Hill AFL chairman Peter Nash was also behind the appointment, saying it was well-deserved.
“Clearly people within the club were impressed with his dedication to his rehab,” he said.
“Certainly we see it on the TV week after week.
“He is that sort of player that kicks that inspiration goal that not only lifts the players but the whole 50,000 people that go to the Adelaide Oval, so I think it’s an exciting time for Taylor, it’s an exciting time for the Crows, and Broken Hill are the beneficiaries of that because everyone knows that Tex comes from the Hill.”
Walker cut his teeth playing for North Broken Hill Football Club, and the club’s president Ben Victory said it was an exciting development for all of Broken Hill, irrespective of team loyalties.
“I think it’s special for football in general in Broken Hill, to know that Broken Hill’s got an export who was such a talent and is now a leader of an AFL club,” he said.
“It just shows the talent in Broken Hill in general of football I think.”
On the streets of Broken Hill resident Deb Hoskins said the appointment was a big win for the Silver City.
“I think it’s absolutely fantastic, especially being a local boy and close to our heart,” she said.
“Just the way he came through with his rehabilitation and everything last year with his knee and whatnot I think it’s richly deserved, wonderful stuff.
“I mean we’ve had a couple of young lads come through and they’re all exceptional and Taylor’s just up there with the rest of them. It’s good for the town, very good for Broken Hill.”
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