- May 11, 2006
- 16,589
- 3,993
- AFL Club
- Geelong
- Other Teams
- Chicago Bulls, Aussie Swim Team,
- Thread starter
- #26
Re: No. 7 Harry Taylor
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/03/09/55601_gfc.html
Harry Taylor ready to fill the void
FROM a bunch of Carlton no-names to a full-strength and flying Collingwood outfit - it won't get much different for Geelong this week.
Particularly for its backline, which will face a potent Magpie attack in the NAB Cup grand final on Friday.
And if the pre-season competition is about finding the next generation, then the Cats should emerge from this summer even more confident that the foundation of its next defensive unit is in good hands.
The fact that Harry Taylor can play at this level is no revelation. We learned that last year.
But that he's so ready, willing and able to take control of the Geelong backline in just his second AFL season is a bit more of a surprise, even though it probably shouldn't be.
Taylor had 20 possessions in the first half against Carlton on Saturday night, the result of some sloppy disposal by the Blues going inside their forward 50.
Then, after half time, with Tom Harley out injured, Andrew Mackie being rested and Matthew Scarlett subbed out of the game, Taylor became the one commanding the troops.
And he liked it.
"I was playing a little bit deeper there at that stage so I could have a have a bit of an idea where guys were so I was trying to direct a bit of traffic, but I think it's not just me, everyone down there really stood up and tried to fill the void of Matty," Taylor said.
"And obviously without Tom, the whole pre-season everyone's tried to lift themselves in terms of leadership and direction.
"I like to have responsibility and helping out the other players. It might be my second year but that doesn't mean anything at all, everyone's taught to play the same way and anyone can be a leader out there, so it's just a matter of using the voice and having good game knowledge.
"I've set myself some pretty high standards this year and I guess coming in last year I didn't have too many expectations on myself, but this year I've raised the bar and that's what you've got to do if you're going to become a better player."
Taylor will have no shortage of possible opponents on Friday night, given Collingwood's tall forward stocks, even while still missing veteran Anthony Rocca.
"I played on Cameron Cloke today and I think his brother Travis would be a match-up that I might be able to have a look at, otherwise there's John Anthony, who's been leading up quite well," he said.
"There's Ben Reid as well so there's a few taller options down there for me to perhaps play on.
"They move the ball quite well and their forwards are very active. Obviously (they've) got some big targets to create a contest and then their smaller players like (Alan) Didak and (Leon) Davis are very creative, very smart the way they set up around the bigger players, so that's going to be something, structure-wise, we're going to have to be very, very switched on next week."
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/03/09/55601_gfc.html