The 32-year-old Walker has returned from a six-game racism ban to remain Adelaide’s most influential attacker this season.

The club’s all-time leading goalkicker considered his future after being suspended for making a racist remark at a state league match last August.

Walker opted to play on this season and since returning in round four has kicked 31 goals in a dozen games.

The 232-gamer and former Crows captain says he’s thrilled to sign on for next season.

“This means a lot to me that I am going to be a Crow for life,” Walker said in a statement on Tuesday.

“As one of the older blokes going around I am also very proud that I can still contribute both on and off the field.”

After being beaten grand finalists in 2017, the Crows will miss the finals for a fifth consecutive season.

“While it has been a difficult period for our club on the field, I get a real buzz from helping the younger guys improve and we are making progress,” Walker said.

“We all want to get back up the ladder as quickly as possible and I know some of our members and fans are finding these times frustrating.

“We can’t lose sight of the bigger picture though and we have been able to match it with teams that will be challenging for the flag for lengthy periods this season.”

Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said Walker’s on-field feats and off-field leadership remain vital to the club.

“Taylor sets an example for our young players in how to prepare and perform on game day and to be playing the type of footy he is into his 30s is a credit to him,” Nicks said in a statement.

“In addition to regularly hitting the scoreboard, his experience in helping develop and guide our next generation of forwards is invaluable and can never be underestimated.”

The news came as North Melbourne sacked coach David Noble after a run of 14 successive AFL losses.

Noble had held the post for less than two seasons – a period which delivered just five wins from 38 matches.

Assistant coach Leigh Adams is expected to fill in as interim coach for the remainder of the 2022 campaign for the bottom-placed Kangaroos.

Adams’ first game in the hot seat will be against Richmond on Saturday.

“The North Melbourne Kangaroos and senior coach David Noble have mutually agreed to part ways, effective immediately,” the club said on Tuesday morning.

Noble’s tenure was increasingly insecure given the string of poor results and the pressure intensified when North brought in former administrator Geoff Walsh to review the football department late last month.

But Noble remained steadfast that he was the man for the job despite a widespread expectation that he would be removed.

“I believe in what I’m doing. I believe in the group that we have got,” Noble said after Saturday’s loss to Collingwood.

“We’re resolute on where the direction needs to go.

“If there’s feedback for me as an individual to get better, I’m all for improving as a coach.

“But having been around the block, I think I’ve got a clear idea as to what needs to happen and that is what we’re pursuing.”

With Noble departing, the Kangaroos are certain to sound out four-time Hawthorn premiership coach Alastair Clarkson, who played for the Roos.

Clarkson, taking a year away from coaching, has spoken to GWS about taking on their vacant head coaching job from next season but is yet to signal his intentions.

-AAP