No jealousy from J-Pod over Walker's impending return
Taylor Walker's return won't disrupt Crows, says James Podsiadly
ADELAIDE forward James Podsiadly could be forgiven for feeling a touch of uncertainty heading into season 2014.
While he'll start the year as the Crows' go-to man inside forward 50, there will be an elephant in the stadium with him as he adds to his 83 AFL games: Taylor Walker.
Once match-fit, Walker is expected to replace Podsiadly at full forward.
As well as cost the Geelong premiership player his place in the side, Walker's return could also disrupt the forward-line structure Podsiadly has worked so tirelessly on alongside fellow recruit Eddie Betts and the club's other forwards in a new-look attack.
However, Podsiadly said there was no unease at the prospect of Walker's return, just eagerness.
"It's actually exciting because 'Tex' is a player who wouldn't get in the way of any of the things going on when he gets back in the side. I think he's actually quite selfless [in] the way he plays his footy," Podsiadly said.
"From that perspective it's going to be really great to see him back in the team.
"He's training really well, he's training with the group. They're obviously holding him back because he's such an important part of this footy club and the team."
Even if Walker displaces Podsiadly from the forward line, the former Cat said he could fill several other positions on the ground.
Podsiadly spent time in defence when at Geelong and he said he could easily make the move back again – as could most of the club's players.
"I'm happy to play backline, I'm happy to play forward line – it really doesn't matter to be honest," he said.
"The way the coaches have structured the pre-season is they've educated all the players on playing every position out on the ground.
"The Crows list is going to have be the most versatile list in the comp if it's going to be successful.
"For me, individually, I'm in that boat as well."
The Crows spent Monday afternoon running a football clinic for locals at Encounter Bay, home to club great Tony Modra.
Podsiadly and Modra enjoyed a friendly chat during the afternoon, which was somewhat surprising given the J-Pod's run-in with Modra's young daughter.
"I actually had his daughter in the clinic I did and she put her hand up and said 'My dad used to play footy' and I said 'Oh yeah, who's your dad?'," he said.
"She held up a ball, a Tony Modra ball, so I signed it and wrecked it for her.
"It was fantastic to meet him and he did say we would catch up during the year."