Adelaide veteran Taylor Walker breaks down speaking about great mate Rory Sloane after Showdown win
Adelaide Veteran Taylor Walker breaks down as he talks about great team-mate Rory Sloan after Crows’ 30-point Showdown win over arch-rivals Port Adelaide.
Walker and Sloan have played a combined 199 AFL games but have not had the chance to add to that number this year as Sloan has been forced to talk about his career this week after a series of eye injuries.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Walker breaks down when talking about Sloane.
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Sloan, 34, underwent a second round of retinal detachment surgery in January, following an initial procedure in 2021.
After extensive consultation with doctors and eye specialists, Sloan informed his teammates on Monday that he was taking time out to avoid causing further damage to his eye.
The former captain was a much-loved figure not just at the club but across the AFL.
Walker broke down in tears when he spoke to Channel 7 after the game.
“We touched it. I might get a little emotional here,” Walker began.
“I love him and his beautiful family.
“So I can’t play with him again. It is hard.
“But I think he made the right decision about life after football. He has a beautiful family.
“What he was able to do in those 255 games, not only Crows fans but the footballing world was so lucky to be able to see a beautiful man play football in the right spirit.”
“It was a great victory for a great man.”
The two hugged immediately after the match before Sloan was ejected.
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Walker kicked two goals in Adelaide’s win to be among his side’s best.
Gun midfielder Rory Laird also paid tribute to Sloane.
“He’s amazing. A very fair player and we did it for him tonight and he would have been proud to win,” he said.
Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson added: “He’s probably the most authentic leader I’ve ever met. Probably the kindest and most generous person you could ever meet.
“He’s an absolute warrior and I admired him for years growing up.
“He was huge for me. I’ll miss.”
The Crows players waited for Sloane before singing their club song.
