THERE was never really any doubt Adelaide skipper Taylor Walker would finish his career as a one-club player.
The question remains whether the Crows can surround him with enough talent – namely in-demand duo Jake Lever and Mitch McGovern – to challenge for the club's first premiership since 1998.
Walker's signature was almost a fait accompli – although locking him into a three-year extension until the end of 2021 on Tuesday, when he still had 18 months to run on his current contract – was slightly surprising.
The next task for the Crows is to lock in Lever and McGovern to new deals.
"The guys coming out of contract, they understand to be in a successful team, you can go elsewhere and earn more money, but at this footy club, we're all about keeping this group together," Walker told reporters.
"I'm confident in our culture and the environment that we create for them, that when they're making their decision, they know that this is the best culture and environment for them to play their best footy.
"Personally it's good for me to lock it away.
"There's some hard work to be done, but hopefully the guys that are making up their decision can lean towards staying at this footy club."
Lever repeatedly said he was waiting until the collective bargaining agreement between the AFL and the AFLPA was finalised before starting negotiations.
It's now a week since the CBA was signed off, but there's no news on the future of one of the most exciting defenders in the competition.
McGovern will also attract offers from rival clubs, but the young forward's hamstring injury has delayed talks.
The Crows' head of football, Brett Burton, hinted Walker had structured his deal in a way to help retain Lever and McGovern.
"His willingness to commit, in a way that assists the club in keeping this group together, highlights his faith in where we are heading and his team-first approach," Burton told afc.com.au.
Walker added: "We structured it in a way that guys who are coming into the peak of their career that they can earn as much as they can at this footy club."
Walker, 27, has booted 33 goals in 12 games to be eighth in the race for the Coleman Medal, and is also second in the competition for goal assists with 20.
But critics have been quick to point out the powerful forward doesn't crash enough packs or use his 194cm, 101kg frame to its fullest extent.
"I'm probably not in the best form of my career, but I'm not far off it," Walker said.
Take last Thursday night's shock 14-point loss to Hawthorn, at that stage who were second-last on the ladder.
Walker had eight touches and booted two goals in the first half, but had just four possessions from then on, while his direct opponent, NAB AFL Rising Star nominee Ryan Burton, was influential in defence and chipped in with a couple of crucial goals in the third term.
Walker remains steadfast in his belief the Crows can overcome their recent form slump – having lost four of their past seven games – and challenge for the premiership.
"Like I have said many times before, I love the footy club, its people and especially my teammates," Walker said.
"I am convinced this playing group can achieve the type of success we all crave and the supporters deserve.
Walker joins Eddie Betts, Wayne Milera, Luke Brown, Kyle Hartigan and Reilly O'Brien in re-signing this year.
The second-placed Crows take on Carlton at the MCG on Saturday, with defender Brown in doubt with an ankle injury.
