Cornes: Crows will regret adamantly backing in key veteran

Kane Cornes remains adamant that Adelaide is hurting the development of Riley Thilthorpe by persisting with Taylor Walker in their best 22.

Cornes called out the club on the issue going into the season, though coach Matthew Nicks is confident in the veteran’s role.

“We’ll revisit this – he’s in Matthew Nicks’ best 22 ‘easily’. Now, if that is proven to be wrong, I wonder whether the hand will be put up, that’s all I’m saying,” Cornes told SEN Breakfast.

“There is no way Walker should be in Adelaide’s best 22. Not for Taylor Walker’s performance, but also for the flow-on effect on Fogarty and what it does to Thilthorpe.

“They will not play as well those two, which it has to be their forward line, if Walker is in the side.

“That’s fine if Nicksy thinks he’s in their best 22, but if that changes then good luck dealing with a club champion when you’ve declared that he is in your best 22 at Round 2.

“This is a real watch and it’s the only concern you’d have and that’s any stifled development for Thilthorpe and how cumbersome that forward line looks when they come up against good sides.

“Won’t matter this week (versus Essendon), Tex will probably kick his three and my Twitter feed will light up.

“You’ve got Dan Curtin down there as well and he’s not quick. And they want to play him forward. How tall do you want to be?”

Adelaide will be looking for their first win at the MCG since 2017 on Saturday afternoon when they take on Essendon.