13. Simon Taylor

[philhawk]

According to the My Man Thread (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291068), it looks like PatientHawk will be one of the posters responsible for looking after Tails for us this season.

Take it away, Patient!

[PatientHawk]

http://hawthornfc.com.au/portals/0/images/players/352308af.jpg


Simon A. Taylor


Fast Facts

Jumper No: 13
Height: 201
Weight: 105
DOB: 1982-08-18 00:00:00
Recruited From: Box Hill Hawks
Career Matches: 17
Career Goals: 8



2006 Home & Away Totals

Matches: 7
Goals: 0
Marks: 12
Disposals: 41
Kicks: 14

About
Featured in 17 games in his first season, with his development fast-tracked because of the loss of Robert Campbell through injury. Ex-rowing champion who has size and athleticism on his side, but is still in the early stages of development as a ruckman, with his positioning around the ground and reading of the play needing attention.
Records
Draft history: 2004 National Bank’s AFL Draft selection (Hawthorn) No. 53 overall.

AFL Record: 2005: Hawthorn - 17 games, 8 goals


Tuesday with Todd: 2007 WRAP
13. Simon Taylor: Shared ruck duties with Robert Campbell but Simon was affected by having only taken part in the half of the pre-season. With a full pre-season in 2007, Simon will only get better working in tandem with Robbie and pushing forward where he can be a reliable marking forward and goalkicker.

[mule]

Playing well Tails, but one criticism on the Freo game,

KICK IT !!!

:thumbsu:

[RustyHawk]

Stats for season 2007

player k h p m ho t ff fa g b

Dean Cox, WCE 234 163 397 155 484 23 38 14 13 9
Brendon Lade, PA 193 96 289 120 484 33 25 32 15 5
Jeff White, MEL 186 170 356 127 461 41 28 20 7 7
Darren Jolly, SYD 162 65 227 95 458 46 28 33 16 7
Hamish McIntosh, KAN 247 137 384 107 445 22 25 22 12 10
Peter Everitt, SYD 178 78 256 93 405 18 22 15 15 9
Aaron Sandilands, FRE 82 108 190 55 404 13 17 7 6 4
Robert Campbell, HAW 70 173 243 71 385 54 19 31 6 2
Brad Ottens, GEE 115 143 258 98 374 65 29 21 19 12
Mark Blake, GEE 61 144 205 65 367 26 12 18 2 6
Ben Hudson, ADE 102 191 293 81 366 44 16 29 1 6
Simon A. Taylor, HAW 83 126 209 71 336 58 19 42 4 2

[RustyHawk]

Taylor made after oarsome training regime
5:26 PM Wed 29 August, 2007 | Back

By Catherine Murphy

Exclusive to AFL BigPond Network

News
HAWTHORN’S Simon Taylor says his days as a rower, when he participated in the 1999 and 2000 nationals, gave him an ideal training base for his career as a professional footballer.

Back then the Hawks’ ruckman used to rise at 5am to train six mornings a week.

“There’s definitely a lot of discipline required to do that,” Taylor said.

“It gave me a good platform to work from because we trained six days a week for two years. There were days when it was raining or cold and it was tough, but obviously you would be letting all your teammates down if you didn’t get up.”

Despite his years of training in a sport which revolves around upper body strength, the modest Hawk says he doesn’t claim to be the best built footballer at the club.

“Chance Bateman thinks he’s got the best guns. In his mind anyway,” Taylor laughs.

From Campbell Town, in Tasmania, Taylor grew up on a farm, and often helped out his dad with the sheep, cattle and cropping work on their property.

He still goes back there to help out when he can, but these days he’s much too busy with footy to visit very often.

But he isn’t the only Tasmanian at Waverley. Mitchell Thorp and Grant Birchall also hail from the Apple Isle and Taylor says the three boys have a close bond.

“We stick together and don’t take any rubbish from any of the other boys,” Taylor said.

Selected in the 2004 AFL National Draft the young Hawk’s career was fast tracked by an injury to Robert Campbell, which meant Taylor played 17 games in his debut season. He believes that early experience has been crucial to his development as a player.

“It made me adapt a lot quicker and work harder. It made me realise that I had to do a lot of work to get up to the level.”

Last year was less successful for Taylor. A shoulder reconstruction ruined his season and he played only seven games. This year though, the 25-year-old completed a full pre-season and has played every game.

“Playing every week you get used to the level and you get your confidence up. You realise that you fit in.”

Taylor believes this season he’s had the opportunity to prove his critics wrong.

“I’m getting a lot more game time and I’m feeling more comfortable and I can read the game better just from being out there.

“When I first started, I was only playing 20 to 30 minutes a game, and it was quite hard to get into it.

“Maybe that’s why people commented on it [not reading the game well] but I never thought I had a problem with that part of my game. This year I’ve been able to show that.”

As for the club’s finals ambitions, Taylor says Hawthorn’s participation in finals for the first time since 2001 is “just reward” for the hard work put in by the Hawks’ senior players.

“For the younger guys it’s all about giving the older guys the chance to go as deep into the finals as we can.

“We all know how much it means to them and for the club and the supporters… It doesn’t have to be said.

“It’s just one of those unwritten things that you just know. We can’t wait for next year, you’ve just got to seize the moment.”

As for this weekend’s clash with Sydney at the SCG, Taylor says the absence of key personnel such as Barry Hall and Tadhg Kennelly from Sydney’s line up, won’t encourage the Hawks to take the challenge any less seriously.

“There’s no bigger game than playing in Sydney. No matter who they put on the park, you know you have to be at your best. It doesn’t matter about names.

“Sydney are one of those teams, they have 22 players who can all do their job. It doesn’t matter who they put out there.

“It’s an opportunity to play in front of a big crowd in front of some quality opposition. We’ve got to get used to these big games if we’re going to be involved in finals and we’re going to go deep into finals.”

[RustyHawk]

Second time lucky for Simon
4:16 PM Wed 28 November, 2007 | Back

By Jennifer Witham

for hawthornfc.com.au

News
HAWTHORN ruckman Simon Taylor might have missed out on tackling the Kokoda Track three years ago, but he's determined to embrace all it has to offer this time around.

A punctured lung kept the 25-year-old from participating when coach Alastair Clarkson took the players on the trip in late 2004 – a situation Taylor described as "a little bit annoying".

But this time, the ruckman is thoroughly anticipating the trip, as he knows all too well what his teammates got out of it last time the club embarked on the challenging route in Papua New Guinea.

"We've actually based a lot of our core values around the Kokoda Track, which is one of the main reasons we did it three years ago," Taylor said on Wednesday, at the 1000 Steps track in the Dandenong Ranges.

"For us young guys now to do that, and for the young guys who haven't done it, really brings us closer to what we're on about with what the other guys experienced.

"They got a lot out of it, and the boys were very emotional at times along the track, and they take it back and we see that passion from time to time at training and during games.

"We're looking forward to it from that perspective."

Taylor said the players are encouraged to learn about the history of Australia's conflict at Kokoda before heading to the track.

"We've all had a book to read, there's a book that talks about the actual fight over there in Kokoda, and we've all read that," he said.

"I read it three years ago too, so I'm just sort of brushing up on it now. It gives a really good background on what actually happened, and the actual track itself and the climate over there.

"It gives us really good insight on what's going on."

The Hawks will set out on the trip with the intention of completing the trek within eight days – three more than the previous lot managed it in – with about 20 players due to start.

But Taylor isn't expecting the extra time to make the journey any physically easier, with the Executive Excellence Team set to make the hike fairly demanding for the players.

"I think the last group was supposed to do it over six but they did it in five," Taylor said.

"They give you an extra couple of days than what they actually want you to do it in, in case it rains, because when it rains the creeks can go up and you get caught in different places.

"They give you a couple of days leeway, but we're planning on doing it over eight, and we've got a lot of older corporate people coming with us, as well as a few staff, so I think that's why we've got a bit longer.

"I think what they're going to do to slow up the players a bit is make us carry stretchers and sandbags, and all that sort of stuff, so I'm expecting the eight days will be as tough as when they did it in five.

"The Executive Excellence Team that takes us through it has done the trip hundreds of times, so they know good ways of putting you through actually what happened."

And, asking his teammates who have completed the expedition for feedback didn't do much to allay any concerns Taylor might have had.

"They said it was very tough. One of the hardest things they've ever done – I heard that a lot," he said.

"We're not expecting it to be a walk in the park; we know it's going to be pretty tough.

"But, we're looking forward to it though. Apparently it's been the wettest over there it's been in 100 years, and there's been cyclones, but we're just ready to go. It's going to be great."

Taylor also said the trip will provide a good base for team bonding, with three new players having recently joined the fold.

"It's a little bit disappointing the whole list isn't going, but all the guys that haven't been and all the guys that have come in the last three years are going," he said.

"It's a really good opportunity for them to spend eight to 10 days living with each other, so it's a good chance for them to meet each other and bond quite closely."

[RustyHawk]

From the Herald Sun

Taylor in awe of trek

10 December 2007 Herald Sun

Daryl Timms

THE days were long and hot, the nights cold, the rain torrential and the rations sparse, but Hawthorn ruckman Simon Taylor says the memories of the club's eight-day trek of the Kokoda Track will last a lifetime.

Lifelong memory: Simon Taylor last night.

A group of Hawthorn players and officials, including former club champion Peter Knights, returned home yesterday, tired but unscathed after their trip to Papua New Guinea.

Taylor said that while the group could train for the rigours of the gruelling walk, nothing could prepare them for the emotions they experienced as they retraced the steps of Australian soldiers who fought the Japanese along the Kokoda Track in 1942.

While the Hawk party battled, single-file, along the 96km track, Taylor spoke almost in disbelief of how hard it would have been for the soldiers who lugged weapons and backpacks containing food and ammunition while fighting the Japanese in the dense mountains.

Taylor said players teamed up with a new "buddy" each day so they could get to know more about their teammates.

Players recruited to the club in last month's national draft - Stuart Dew, Cyril "Junior Boy" Rioli and Brendan Whitecross - were part of the expedition, which was led by coach Alastair Clarkson.

"You were wet by nine o'clock in the morning with sweat, and you would stay that way for the rest of the day. And then you'd bathe in a creek to try and get the sweat off your clothes, which you put back on the next day," Taylor said.

"There was no change of clothes. They were the same ones for the eight days."

Taylor said that not only did the players get to know more about each other, they also learnt about the sacrifices made by Australian soldiers, many of whom were only 19 years old.

Four granite monuments at Isurava overlook the scene of the biggest battle of the campaign.

It was a humbling sight for Taylor, who said the words on the monuments symbolised what the Australian spirit is all about and what all good citizens, and not just footballers, should model themselves on.

"At the end of the day we carried logs and did all that sort of stuff and did it way easier than those blokes did back then. And we weren't getting shot at, and it wasn't raining every day," he said.

"I mean, you just can't compare it. As tough as it was, there was just no comparison."

While every player had to read about Kokoda's history to prepare for the experience, Taylor said he would like to do something so Australians never forget what happened in Papua New Guinea in 1942.

He said the Hawks wanted to promote the track's history and tradition to young Australians.

[Big Ronnie]

Late bloomer is not words that thommo16 wishes to be identified by, but it works well for pick 36 Simon Taylor. Big Tales has promised us all this year that he will learn to kick and to stop trying to stare at Robbie Campbell when he is up the other end of the ground, and thus getting distracted from the ball!

Go get im thommo16

BR:thumbsu:

[thommo16]

I am very excited about looking after Tails for season 2008!

Bring it on

[thommo16]

Franklin on a mission
20 January 2008 Sunday Herald Sun
Jackie Epstein

LOOK out for a bigger, stronger and better Buddy this season.



Getting stronger: Lance 'Buddy' Franklin is looking bigger and stronger says Simon Taylor. Picture: Peter Glenane




Hawthorn ruckman Simon Taylor said Lance Franklin had a swagger that meant defenders were in trouble.

"Buddy's really flying at the moment and has not missed a session," Taylor said.

Photo gallery: Hawks pre-season
"I probably shouldn't say he's got a bit more arrogance, but he's just going so well and will be even better.

"Good luck to anyone playing on him."

Taylor and Franklin were passengers in Franklin's car when Collingwood rookie Sharrod Wellingham was booked for drink driving in Lorne two weeks ago.

Taylor said it was a "silly decision" and the pair was keen to move on.

On the track they are among those setting the pace. The group has lifted its pre-season workload and yesterday completed the regular hills session at Fawkner Park and then a swim.

Taylor said the list was fairly injury free and motivated after tasting finals action last year.

"We've got to keep raising the bar," he said.

"We're not going to put limits on ourselves. Even someone coming in like Stuart Dew has benefited the group.

"He's looking really good and is a quality guy, so you can understand why the coaching staff wanted him.

"We've also got Max Bailey back training and the young guys are improving. Beau Muston, Beau Dowler, Travis Tuck and Mitch Thorp - those type of guys are going well."

Taylor needs two matches to notch his 50-game milestone.

He is excited about the team's ruck division with Robert Campbell and Bailey.

"I'm ready to go and can't wait for matches to start," Taylor said.

"They're exciting times ahead."

Hawks members have jumped on board with 21,493 signed up. The club is on target for record numbers with an aim of 35,000.

[noosa hawk mad]

http://sportal.com.au/mediaplayer/audio/AFL/simon-taylor-media-conference-1963 S Taylor interview :thumbsu:

[thommo16]

Review of the Swans match to follow (just got back from Tassie and need to watch the replay)

[peterss]

Is Taylor expected to be the 2nd ruck in your side again this season or will Bailey take over?

[RustyHawk]

Figures adding up for Taylor
Author: By Catherine Murphy
10:37 AM Thu 27 March, 2008

Mon, Mar 24, 08
HAWTHORN ruckman Simon Taylor won’t be viewing stats or tactical plans when he gets aboard his flight for Perth this weekend.

When the Hawks jet off for their round two clash against Fremantle, he’ll be crunching numbers of a different kind. The 25-year-old has a financial markets exam on Monday as part of his Applied Finance masters degree.

“It’s been a busy few weeks with football starting and uni, it is going to be an interesting few days ahead,” Taylor laughs.

As numbers go, Hawthorn’s are looking better this weekend.

They were missing four big names last weekend due to suspension and this week welcome back Luke Hodge and Campbell Brown for their clash with Freo.

And although they’ll miss Trent Croad with a wrist injury he sustained at the weekend, the increased availability in personnel means Taylor should have his partner Robbie Campbell back in the ruck division after Campbell was forced to cover in defence last weekend.

But Taylor insists he didn’t mind shouldering the ruck responsibility himself against the Demons, with a little help from Jarryd Roughead.

“It really gave me an opportunity to play some good game time in the middle of the ground which I thoroughly enjoyed,” Taylor said. “I think Roughy enjoys it too. Having the chance to really try and influence the game is good. It shows that I’ve the confidence to do it, if it’s required again down the track.”

Taylor certainly had an influence in one of his best games for the club in the 104-point drubbing of Melbourne. But he said the Hawks weren’t attaching much significance to the round one demolition.

“We know ourselves that it’s only one game and it’s only round one. We were on the receiving end last year in round one (versus Brisbane) when we ended up playing very poorly but then came back to make the finals.

“You can’t read too much into early season form.”

With Taylor commanding the ruck department, the forward division has attracted widespread praise with ‘Buddy’ Franklin kicking six goals and debutants Cameron Stokes and Cyril Rioli making an immediate impact in their crumbing forward roles.

“It’s great to have crumbers for our big players up there. Their forward line pressure was really good as well. It really adds an extra dimension to our team structure,” Taylor said.

Also making an impressive debut for the Hawks was new recruit and former Port Adelaide dynamo Stuart Dew who managed to get his name on the score board as well with two majors.

Taylor said he was glad that Dew excelled in his first outing after his much scrutinised recruitment to Waverly after a year in retirement.

“He was a little nervous but he knew he did the work. He did so much work over the break with so many extra sessions to get his body right.

“No one was surprised with how he played at the weekend. He’s such a quality person and a quality player.”











Source: for hawthornfc.com.au

[RustyHawk]

Hawks' big men firing
14/07/2008 12:46:52 PM
Paul Gough
Sportal

One of the most overlooked factors behind Hawthorn's rapid improvement over the past two seasons has been the development of the club's ruck combination of Simon Taylor and Robert Campbell.

While they might lack the profile of some of the game's best ruckmen such as Geelong's Brad Ottens and West Coast's Dean Cox, the pair have developed one of the best big man partnerships in the AFL.

It was no coincidence that one of Hawthorn's two losses for the season came against the Kangaroos in Round 13 when Taylor was sidelined with a cut knee.

That injury, which was far more serious than it sounds, sidelined Taylor for three matches.

His return on Sunday against Sydney at the MCG also coincided with one of the Hawks' best performances of the season as they recorded their first win over the Swans for five years as Taylor and Campbell renewed their partnership and more than held their own against the Swans' more experienced ruck pair of Peter Everitt and Darren Jolly.

Taylor said he believes he and Campbell have now developed the sort of ruck pairing that is crucial to the success of all leading contenders.

"We are very close Robbie and I and we understand each other like we are each other and that makes a big difference," Taylor told Sportal.

"We have played a lot of games together now and we had played about 30 odd consecutively until I hurt my knee and hopefully we can continue to do that."

With 26-year-old Campbell now having 93 games under his belt since debuting in 2002 and 25-year-old Taylor some 60 games since debuting in 2005, the pair are beginning to repay the faith shown in them by the Hawks.

And Taylor has no doubt the pair are coming into their best years given the late maturing of big men in the AFL.

"They say mid to late 20s are your prime and you look at the top ruckmen in the AFL and what sort of age they are when they are playing their best footy and Brad Ottens and Dean Cox are mid to late 20s and that is the ideal time for a ruckman."

Taylor had enjoyed a run of 35 consecutive games for the Hawks before what normally is considered a minor injury turned out to be a lot more serious against Essendon in Round 11.

"I cut my knee on the outside of someone's boot," he said.

"It (the cut) went right down to the bone so it was quite deep and unfortunately it got a bit infected because a little bit of grass and dirt were in the wound and it took a bit longer to heal because it was on a vulnerable spot."

"So I missed five weeks with it (but only three matches because of the mid-season break) but it pulled up good (following his return match against the Swans) and I got through really well."