“[Finals are] My Priority That’s His Priority Too - Nicks on Walker

Taylor Walker missed the win against the Eagles on Sunday, and Matthew Nicks was quick to open up on resting the superstar.

“There’s gonna be a point where we are gonna have to do that [win] without Tex,” Nicks began.

“We hadn’t locked in [that he wasn’t playing] until this morning. We needed to get a look at him over Captain’s run.

“We’d love to play him every week, but we know that’s not going to work.”

Walker is on track to play 300 games this year, and Nicks said that was part of the conversation taking place at West Lakes.

“I’d be lying if I said the word 300 didn’t come up in some off our conversations. It’s only natural, what a milestone.

“He’s a superstar of our footy club,” the former Swan finished.

Nicks also offered his point of view on the game

“We had a half forward line in the first half that couldn’t get a touch, but wasn’t their fault,” Nicks said on his thoughts at half time.

“It was a lack of predictability from us and our game plan and our ball use, which took away our game. We played the game in the wrong area.

“They wasn’t a need for stern words, it was a good contest, we were just unpredictable to our forwards.

With the Eagles being 18th and the Crows inside the eight at the start of the game, naturally one wonders whether the Crows had taken the foot of the pedal at the start of the contest. Nicks however, was certain this wasn’t the case

“There’s no compliancy, we just lacked a little bit of focus,” said Nicks.

“We’d gone away from what makes us a good side. To be able to fix that in game is a great result.

“In previous years, it might have been one where you see four quarters of the same, and you come out maybe with a small win or we lose the game of footy.

“As a coach, I sit here excited by the fact that we are gonna learn something from this game. We’ve still got a fair way to go.

Jordan Dawson had a great game on Sunday, finishing with two goals and 27 touches, however Nicks wasn’t all pleased with his captain.

“I don’t think he [Jordan Dawson] got it right in the first half,” Nicks stated.

“When we started getting it right, he was one that impacted the contest in a big way.

“He wasn’t the only one, I thought Peatling was back to some of his best stuff we’ve seen. Really hard, in and under the footy. I thought Izak Rankine, playing up and around the football was instrumental for us.

“I’m pleased with the consistency off our game. There hasn’t been a game yet where we really dropped off. In saying that, each game we come out off, we know we need to be better in a couple of areas.”

Sam Berry is a player that get handed the sub’s vest regularly for the Crows. However, when Taylor Walker was withdrawn, it gave Berry the opportunity to play a full game, and he made the most of it.

“I thought he [Sam Berry] was great today,” Nicks said.

“Having a second position, or multiple positions that you can play rounds you off. It takes your game to another level. There’s no doubt Sam’s got the ability to play forward, he’s explosive.”

The Crows are back in action on Saturday against the Swans.