A critic of free agency because he says it gives players an "out", Walker's comments follow a promising start by a seemingly revitalised Adelaide under new coach, Phil Walsh, who has already made a profound impression on the side's gun forward. Adelaide players Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts sing the club song with fans after the match against North Melbourne in round one. Credit:Getty Images In an extended interview, Walker has spoken glowingly of the famously hard taskmaster, Walsh, and said he may actually "love" the man who replaced Brenton Sanderson as coach "too much". Walker said he disagrees that Dangerfield, who has an undisputed familial pull to Victoria's surf coast, which makes Geelong an enticing football home, is the man most likely to uproot. "I'm confident that the pair of them will stay," he said. "I can't physically make them stay, but I will do my best to try to keep them here.

"I can tell them how important I think they are and, I'm being serious, the boys love the pair of them." Walker described Sloane, 25 and also a Victorian, as "a very loyal bloke". He also said that Walsh's significant off-season decision to single him out as the Crows' best next captain was an issue that was discussed frankly with both Dangerfield and Sloane. He added that Dangerfield and Sloane approved it. "They've taken it really well," Walker said, referring specifically to the pair due to come out of contract at season's end. "Phil's big about having man conversations, and we spoke about it as a leadership group. Phil put forward what he wanted and they all agreed. "So look, they're both very important to this footy club, and hopefully we can get pen to paper from the pair of them. In saying that, though, they're two people and two people don't make up a footy team. We need 22 blokes on a Saturday to get the job done and get a W next to our name."

A critic of free agency who believes loyalty is not rewarded adequately in the AFL, and that measures should be introduced to rectify that, Walker said the most compelling reason for Dangerfield and Sloane to stay is simple: their investment in Adelaide, and Adelaide's investment in them. Off field, the trio are joint investors in a Norwood pub with Crows' powerbroker, former captain, Brownlow medallist and now Adelaide board member Mark Ricciuto. Walker, Sloane and Dangerfield bought into the pub last August. "I suppose I look at it the way that Rory does as well. I'm a very loyal person, that's the way I was brought up. And I think if people look after you, you return the favours," Walker said. "The club has put a lot of time and effort into all three of us – and anyone who comes into this footy club – so you'd like to think they would return the favour." Walker, who started the year in rampaging form with a six-goal, 15-mark effort in Adelaide's demolition job on North Melbourne, believes there should be two byes every season. His past criticism of free agency prompted the AFL Players' Association to talk the issue through with him, but it has not changed his view.