Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has commented on the future of veteran forward Taylor Walker, who is yet to make a call on the next step of his career.
The 35-year-old's 19th season with the Crows concluded on Friday night when Adelaide fell to Hawthorn by 34 points in a semi-final at Adelaide Oval.
The disappointing straight-sets exit for the minor premiers has quickly placed Nicks' side into an off-season that will include reflection, and then preparation for what's ahead in the coming years.
Walker's place in that planning remains up in the air, with Nicks unsure on whether he'll have the former Crows captain at his disposal in 2026.
The seven-time club leading goalkicker played 23 games at AFL level this year, only missing matches through load management.
Having now passed the baton onto younger forward targets Darcy Fogarty and Riley Thiilthorpe, Adelaide's reliance on Walker has waned.
Quizzed on Walker's playing future after Friday's loss to the Hawks, Nicks said a decision will be made in the near future once the club 'licks its wounds' in the wake of their finals exit.
"We don't actually know. We'll work through that over the coming weeks," Nicks said.
"We'll sit down with 'Tex', and a few others, and just talk through what that looks like.
"I love 'The Texan'. I think there's different things that 'Tex' brings to the footy field that aren't necessarily just kicks, marks and handballs. There's a leadership component to it.
"It'll be a decision he'll have to (make as well). We'll lick our wounds at the moment and then sit down and talk about what that looks like."
Adelaide has Hugh Bond, Chris Burgess, Karl Gallagher, Lachlan Murphy, Harry Schoenberg, Brodie Smith, Kieran Strachan, Zac Taylor and Walker unsigned for next year, with Smith also needing to make a call on his future.
The others may face nervous exit meetings at West Lakes in the coming days; however, the likes of Bond and Taylor have shown promise as role players this year.
