Walker’s mullet is a beauty

Business at the front, party in the back. We need to sincerely thank Adelaide forward Taylor ‘Tex’ Walker for reminding us what a fun saying that is – and how much we like to dissect a really good mullet.

The winter neck-warmer – as it’s sometimes known – first appeared in popular culture in the 1960s and peaked in the 1980s, although it was still prominent in the early part of the 1990s. Heck, even comic book hero Superman was portrayed with a mullet for a short period, in contrast to his original appearance sporting a neat, conservative do. And as late as 1998, punk rock band The Vandals paid tribute to mullet-wearers (including those who pimped theirs by perming the back) with a song called I’ve Got an Ape Drape.

Footballers have been among the best mullet-wearers, with the likes of stars Dermott Brereton, Stephen Kernahan and Greg Anderson up there with some world-class long-haired musicians and actors, including David Bowie, John Stamos, Bono from U2, Michael Bolton, Mel Gibson, Billy Ray Cyrus – better known now as the father of actress and singer Miley, who has dated Melbourne-born actor Liam Hemsworth on and off for several years – and tennis great Andre Agassi.

The Roman emperor Nero reportedly favoured a style that resembled a mullet, partly because of his disdain for keeping up appearances. Conquering, it seems, took up most of his time.

That lack of interest in personal care makes the mullet easy, for it requires little maintenance, save for a quick wave of the hand through the back when it’s just been shampooed, and maybe a simultaneous wink, mock shot of a pistol and a smile in the mirror when it’s just right.

Curiously (and sadly), in 2010, the Iranian government reportedly banned men from growing mullets partly as a way of counter-acting the growing cultural influence of the west.

But we digress. A great mullet is a good talking point, something ex-Saint Fraser Gehrig proved when he took a minimalist approach just a few years ago.

It takes swagger to pull off, and we know Walker has plenty of that. But we also know he can play, so with him we get twice the fun.

Walker’s mullet is a beauty. And we love him for daring to make it fashionable again.

This article first appeared in the AFL Record, written by Laura Mullins and Peter Di Sisto.