Kuwarna forward Taylor Walker has candidly admitted he might not be selected to return to the side for Thursday night’s clash against Hawthorn in Launceston. 

The 36-year-old has missed the past two matches with a minor hamstring strain, and is pushing to prove his fitness ahead of the match against the Hawks. 

But Kuwarna could opt to keep the same forward structure that booted a season-high 133 points against North Melbourne last week, and leave Walker out of the line-up. 

“It’s going to be a challenge for the coaches to see whether they want to go four talls or three talls plus two rucks,” Walker said. 

“Personally I had the chat with the Club at the start of the year where there might be a time where I don’t get picked, whether it’s this week or not, I’m open-minded to that. 

“The boys that are playing at the moment in Murray, Fogarty and Filthy (Riley Thilthorpe), if he gets through today probably get the priority. 

“It’ll be what it’ll be, I understand the options, whether we play myself, Filthy, Fogarty and Murray or we don’t, and I imagine if we don’t I might be the unlucky one.” 

Walker wasn’t the only key forward to miss the win against North Melbourne, with Riley Thilthorpe being withdrawn the day before the match with back soreness. 

He gave an update on his All-Australian teammate and whether he could return to face the Hawks. 

“He was very stiff last week so the coaches made the right call not to play him, he wasn’t right, so he needs to get through the session to prove to himself that he’s okay,” Walker said.

“He needs to get through the session and be in the best possible position to perform on Thursday night.” 

Watching on from the stands, the performance of ruck Lachlan McAndrew caught the eye of the Club’s all-time leading goal-kicker, with his unique set shot routine a highlight. 

“That’s part of his routine to get himself going and get a bit of momentum to kick straight,” Walker said. 

“Watching it doesn’t bother me at all,  you could do a front flip, back flip and kick the goal, as long as it gives you a routine that you can go to every single time to get the result. 

“I thought he was outstanding on the weekend, against one of the best ruckman in the competition, he did such a great job to get that job done for us in the ruck.” 

Walker also took the chance to chat about his son, Hugo, and his blossoming footballing journey in the Unley Jets under-7 side. 

“Hugo the other day, he was at training and Ellie sent me a photo, he had his mouthguard in his sock and his socks pulled up,” Walker said. 

“I asked him ‘what are you doing mate’ and he said ‘Dad does it’, and then when we were walking out of the game on Saturday next to Lachlan McAndrew and Hugo asked me what position he plays. 

“The next day we were watching St Kilda and Richmond and he said ‘I’ve got an idea, I want you to tell Stretch, he needs to jump second not first so he can hit the ball first’.

“So he’s definitely a bit of a thinker about the game.” 

Kuwarna takes on Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium in Launceston on Thursday night, with the match to start at 7pm (ACST). 

Fans can watch the game live on Channel 7 Adelaide and Fox Footy/Kayo.