ADELAIDE coach Matthew Nicks has declared he "really" wants disgraced former captain Taylor Walker back at the club next year.
Walker, despite being contracted for the 2022 season, has been weighing up his future in the wake of the racism scandal which saw him suspended for six games.
The veteran forward fronted the media for the first time last week since details of his racial slur against a SANFL player came to light.
Walker, 31, said he was undecided about playing on at the Crows next year and hoped he was not remembered for vilifying North Adelaide's Robbie Young.
Nicks and Crows hierarchy have tread a careful line of condemning Walker's actions while still supporting the club's all-time leading goalkicker.
But on Friday, Nicks said he would back Walker's comeback even though he would miss the first three games of the year.
"From a coach, I really want him at the club next year," Nicks told SEN.
"He's one of the most important and experienced players we have, so I want him to be there, but we'll support whatever he decides.
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"We all make mistakes; I sit right alongside Taylor and we've worked through a really tough period.
"It sounds wrong and horrible, but I think we have an opportunity now to make a difference.
"Taylor's done some incredible work in the last couple of months, and we're going to make a difference in this space."
Having Walker in the forward line would be a massive boost for the young Crows as they continue their rebuild under Nicks.
After collecting the first wooden spoon in the club's history last year, Adelaide took massive strides this season to win seven games, highlighted by victories over minor premiers Melbourne and fellow finalists Geelong.