Avid Crows fan Aimee Lawson can remember her daughter Mikaylah’s face lighting up every time she saw Taylor Walker get near the ball - a small joy that formed part of the family’s love for the Adelaide Football Club.
That love has taken on an even greater meaning since Mikaylah’s passing in 2023.
It is also the reason behind the family choosing to honour Mikaylah’s legacy, pledging a picket at the new Thebarton Oval Precinct.
A personalised plaque bearing a message for Mikaylah and her younger sister Lani - the two Crows girls - will be placed on a picket surrounding the main oval - a tribute to the family’s love for the Club.
“Mikaylah was a quiet achiever and she loved everything about Tex Walker,” Aimee said.
“She would come to the games and be interested enough in them, and then Tex would get the ball and her face would light up and she would watch him play footy.
“Pledging this picket just shows our long association we’ve had with the Club - we’ve been Members since 1991 - and the Club means everything to us during the football season.”
Construction of Adelaide’s new headquarters at Thebarton is progressing at pace, and the Club is hoping to move into its new home towards the end of 2026.
Aimee said the sense of community the Crows created had been at the heart of the family’s love for the Club, and it’s also what Mikaylah cherished deeply.
“For us, it’s the time the players take with the supporters that makes it so special. We haven’t been to many training sessions, but we went to one last year, and just the time they take to honour their supporters and take us on their journey is very special.
“It means the world to share this with Lani, she’s into footy in a different way to what Mikaylah was. Lani will kick the footy and Mikaylah just liked to watch.”
She said honouring Mikaylah’s memory was important to do for her younger sister, Lani.
“Lani is very honoured to talk about Mikaylah, so by doing this it opens up another avenue to keep Mikaylah with us,” Aimee said.
For Lani, 6, Walker is her favourite player - a nod to her late big sister.
“My favourite player is Tex, because he kicks the ball strong,” Lani said.
“I love going to the footy and getting my face painted, eating the chippies and seeing all the footy players.”
By pledging a picket, supporters will secure a place in history and be part of a new era for the Club.
The donation of a picket is $500 and is tax-deductable via the Australian Sports Foundation.
Pledge your picket now here.
