Taylor Walker's legacy is littered with athletic greatness and career-defining goals but his impact off the field and in the community makes him a true champion.

Nineteen years ago, a boy from Broken Hill with tips in his hair and a room littered with Crows posters crossed the border to pursue a dream.

The man affectionately known as Tex, after Chuck Norris' iconic character, was a 75-kilogram prospect who'd only ever wanted to be a footballer.

"When I arrived here as a skinny kid from Broken Hill, I never imagined where this journey would take me," Walker said on Monday.

"Football has given me so much but more than anything it's given me people."

Walker — who yesterday announced he would be retiring at season's end — was the final pick in the 2007 draft, but had to wait as Melbourne and Fremantle passed their final selections before the Adelaide Crows took a punt on an injured prospect who had been injured riding his motocross bike shortly after making the NSW Under-16 squad.

What followed was a rollercoaster journey of growth, leadership and legacy.

"His stats tell a story … but that is just part of his story," Crows CEO Tim Silvers said on Monday.

"He's been a great person, a wonderful leader, and he's led through the ups and downs of our footy club. He's led with strength, resilience, passion and determination.

"We're really proud of what he's done, the human he's become and the family man he is."

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks echoed those sentiments, saying Walker's legacy at West Lakes is the greatest of any Crow in club history.

"I don't think there's been anyone bigger, when you talk about the impact he's had — not just on football, but on this state and our supporter base," Nicks said.

An emerging talent

It was a perfect storm that landed Walker at West Lakes. The AFL was eager to expand its growth areas in New South Wales and launched a scholarship program requiring clubs to take two players from the state.

Junior scout Mark Ross was sent to the region and caught a glimpse of a young man who would become Adelaide's all-time leading goalkicker.

Thankfully for recruiting boss Hamish Ogilvie, his injury meant no-one else got to see his potential ahead the draft.

It wasn't all smooth sailing for the soon-to-be seven-time leading goalkicker. After kicking over 50 goals in the SANFL for Norwood, Walker was given a debut against Collingwood in the first round of 2009, recording five touches and a goal in a thrilling four-point win.

But his 14-game debut season ended in the reserves and numerous omissions in 2010 as the young forward clashed with coach Neil Craig over his defensive pressure.

Premiership Crow and former Adelaide board member Rod Jameson remembers his treatment being unique for key forwards at the time.

"Neil Craig made it hard for him. They sent him back to work on his defensive game which was rarely heard of then," Jameson said.

"He'd go back and still kick numerous goals. We all knew there was talent there but it was the timing and consistency."

There were rumours of a move to expansion club GWS and an omission after being caught on live TV drinking a beer at the SANFL — but the appointment of Brenton Sanderson as Adelaide's head coach in 2012 proved a turning point.

A 63-goal season led to a runner-up finish in the Coleman Medal and it felt like South Australia's next big thing had arrived, but an ACL injury early in 2013 was a devastating blow.

"I always tried to look at it glass half full … you've always got a choice to make. You can sit and sulk and look at the negatives or get on with life and do something about it," Walker said.

"You go through challenges in your career that make you want to get better."

Securing the captaincy

Walker's optimism and determination saw him return early in the 2014 season and inspired his teammates to appoint him captain the following year.

His first season at the helm was one of the most difficult any leader could have faced, with the tragic death of senior coach Phil Walsh.

But Walker was able to unite a shattered playing group and guide them into three consecutive finals series that culminated in the club's first grand final in 20 years and back-to-back AFLPA best captain awards.

Jameson recalls Walker's maturity and guidance in the club's darkest period being an inspiration to a devastated community.

"At heart he's a larrikin … [but] he says and does things that the group is able to follow, and it's a special trait," he said.

"The passing of Walshy and the grand final hardship … it wasn't easy but that's how you learn.

"He's just a ripping bloke. It's what good clubs are made of — they're the building blocks you want in the club. To build connections and catchers, he's gone about it his way and it's been an incredible career."

Walker himself believed the experience gave him perspective and pride.

"One of Walshy's favourite sayings was just get the job done," Walker said.

"If he was looking down he would've been incredibly proud of what we were able to do in that time.

"Life is hard, it's challenging. Things happen that you can't control. Don't take it too seriously. Have fun along the way because it's so short."

Challenges on and off the field

Entering 2020, the winds of change had struck West Lakes, with coach Don Pyke stepping aside for Matthew Nicks, and Walker handing over the captaincy to Rory Sloane.

Walker faced concerns over his own future, battling a knee injury and engulfed in a racism scandal that saw him suspended for six matches for delivering a slur to North Adelaide's Robbie Young.

"That was an incredibly difficult time for my family and … I learned that words don't just hurt one person, they can hurt so many different people," he said on Monday.

"I'm a better person for that mistake I made. I wish it never happened but also I feel like I'm better for it."

A refreshed strength and conditioning program not only wound back the clock but saw Walker soar to career highs, with a 76-goal season in 2023 and his first All-Australian blazer.

Firmly in the premiership window after a minor premiership in 2025, Walker was hell-bent on helping the club break its near three-decade long drought but as the injuries rose and the weekly recovery got harder, the decision arrived at 3am last Tuesday.

"The closer I've gotten to the end it's probably become more evident it might be this year but I've treated it like my last year for the past six years," Walker said.

"I knew it was the right time for me and the football club to retire at the end of the year, hopefully with a premiership medallion around my neck.

"I might go out with a bang."

Leaving a legacy

Walker's influence and impact will forever be etched into South Australian footy folklore, with a club record 706 goals and counting, and over 300 games that will see him finish third all-time.

"He's up there with the greats of the club. His impact, his longevity and his leadership," Jameson said.

"When you reflect on the stats and what he's been able to accomplish — he puts himself up in the elite category."

"Everyone sees the goals and big moments but those who have worked closely with Tex know the care he has for his teammates, our coaches and staff, and the club," Nicks said.

"He's someone who led through actions as much as words. He was prepared to stand up when things were going well and, importantly, he stood tall when they weren't."

A clash with the ladder-leading Fremantle Dockers awaits Friday night as the Crows fight for a top-four finish, but when it's all said and done Walker will finish thankful for the opportunity to represent his childhood club.

"I've had three loves in my life — my family, my friends and footy," he said.

"I want to go back [to Broken Hill] and win a premiership there. Coaching is on the radar but I want to take a deep breath.

"I walk away with gratitude, and while my playing career is coming to an end I'll always be grateful that the kid from Broken Hill got the chance to live out his dream as a Crow. I'll forever be a Crow."