Adelaide coach Don Pyke has lauded Taylor Walker’s bravery during a troubled AFL season but hasn’t yet thought about extending his tenure as captain.

Skipper Walker’s season has been ended by a two-game suspension – his second ban in a year in which he also missed five games because of injury.

Asked whether Walker would remain as captain, Pyke said: “I haven’t even thought about it, to be honest.”

Decisions around Adelaide’s leadership group would occur next preseason, he said.

But Pyke praised Walker for battling through an injury-curtailed year which also included missing all preseason games because of a foot issue.

“He has come into the season underdone … and in fairness to Tex, to be honest he has soldiered on really bravely under a lack of a preseason,” he said.

“And I don’t care who you are and how good a player you are, if you don’t get that solid preseason base under you, the game now is too difficult … and he has found that out.

“But I am full of admiration for what he has done for the team and the care he has shown for the team to put himself out there continually to play … and continue to lead the way he has.”

Vice-captain Rory Sloane will lead the Crows in their last two games, against North Melbourne on Sunday and Carlton following Saturday.