A shattered Adelaide Crows skipper says the closeness of the 2016 AFL season is a sign of the healthiness of the indigenous game.

Taylor Walker (pictured) and his side will to back to the drawing board in the off season after coming up short against the Swans on Saturday night.

With only a win separating the top six teams at the end of the regular season, and with four such even matched sides playing off this weekend for a grand final berth,  Walker says the game couldn’t be healthier.