Harry Taylor (Australian rules footballer)

Infobox afl player NEW


playername = Harry Taylor
fullname = Harry Taylor
image capt = Harry Taylor in 2008
birthdate = Birth date and age|df=yes|1986|6|12
birthplace = Western Australia
originalteam = East Fremantle (WAFL)
draftpick = 17^th overall, 2007
Geelong Cats
heightweight = 193cm / 91kg
position = Defender
dead = alive
deathdate =
deathplace =
currentclub = Geelong
guernsey = 7
years = 2008 –
clubs = Geelong
games(goals) = 21 (3)
coach = notcoach
coachingteams =
statsend = 2008
careerhighlights =

Harry Taylor III (born 12 June 1986) is an Australian rules footballer for the Geelong Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Early Life

Taylor attended boarding school in Geraldton before moving to Perth in 2004 to pursue a possible career in the AFL. To help prepare himself for life as a footballer, Taylor worked for a year as a bricklayer to try and gain muscle which would ultimately help him as an AFL footballer.cite web|first=Scott|last=Gullan|title=Learning curve for wise Harry Taylor|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,23525408-19742,00.html|publisher=Herald Sun|date=2008-04-12|accessdate=2008-10-03]

He is a mature age player who spent three seasons, and played 48 games for East Fremantle in the WAFL. Taylor finished third in the East Fremantle Sharks best and fairest in 2007. Before being drafted Taylor was studying physiotherapy at university, and had never left his home state of Western Australia.cite web|first=Michael|last=Auciello|title=Harry Taylor justifies pre-draft hype|url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/11/26/9193_gfc.html|publisher=Geelong Advertiser|date=2008-11-26|accessdate=2008-10-03]

Career

Taylor was considered a surprise selection at pick 17 in the 2007 draft because of his age. Taylor made his debut for the Cats in the first round of the 2008 NAB Cup against Melbourne, in a highly impressive display in defence. He can play at either end of the ground as a key position player, but has made his mark at CHB though he has shown his versatility by kicking three goals in his debut season.

Taylor's football superstition is to wear zinc cream during every game regardless of the weather, however in his first game at Telstra Dome he did not wear it in fear of attracting too much attention. He has been known to take notes on each opponent he plays on in a bid to help improve his game.

2008: Debut

In the heritage round clash against Melbourne, Taylor was forced to wear a guernsey with the number 85 on it as opposed to his usual number 7 guernsey. After changing his guernsey twice due to the blood rule there were no spare number 7 guernseys left and he could not return to the field until he was wearing a clean guernsey. It is still unclear why there was a spare number 85 guernsey.

Taylor made his finals debut in the quarter finals against St Kilda.

He credits his outstanding first season to the fact that he has an established backline around him and talented teammates who he can learn from.cite web|first=Jennifer|last=Witham|title=Taylor made for Cats' back six|url=http://www.gfc.com.au/GeelongNews/NewsArticle/TabId/3933/default.aspx?newsId=57826|publisher=gfc.com.au|date=2008-04-13|accessdate=2008-10-03] However, opposition teams have described Taylor as the weakest link in the Geelong backline due to his inexperience. Geelong coach, Mark Thompson, has shown great faith in Taylor, stating that he will be with the Geelong Football Club for a very long time.cite web|first=Bradley|last=Green|title=Cats coach throws support behind Taylor|url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/08/27/17657_gfc.html|publisher=Geelong Advertiser|date=2008-08-27|accessdate=2008-10-03] Taylor's impressive debut season was recognised when he was awarded Geelong's Best first-year player award.cite web|first=|last=|title=Corey wins second best and fairest|url=http://www.gfc.com.au/tabid/3933/Default.aspx?newsid=68568|publisher=AFL BigPond Network|date=2008-10-02|accessdate=2008-10-03] cite web|first=Rebecca|last=Williams|title=Joel Corey beats Gary Ablett to win Cats' B & F|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24438503-19742,00.html|publisher=Herald Sun|date=2008-10-03|accessdate=2008-10-03]

Personal Life

Taylor lives alone in Geelong,cite web|first=Sarah|last=Bieske|title=Cat Harry Taylor likes his new Band of Brothers|url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/04/01/12654_gfc.html|publisher=Geelong Advertiser|date=2008-04-01|accessdate=2008-10-03] before being drafted he had never been to Geelong and could not locate it on a map. He is fascinated with World War II which lead him to start drinking Cognac and to start watching WWII inspired TV series, Band of Brothers, which he sometimes watches before a game to draw inspiration from. Taylor dislikes metropolitan life, as there are "too many people up there" for his liking.cite web|first=Ben|last=Broad|title=‘G whiz, this is big|url=http://www.gfc.com.au/GeelongNews/NewsArticle/TabId/3933/default.aspx?newsId=59561|publisher=gfc.com.au|date=2008-05-14|accessdate=2008-10-03] cite web|first=Ben|last=Broad|title=Cats just wild about Harry|url=http://www.afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=53875|publisher=AFL BigPond Network|date=2007-11-28|accessdate=2008-10-03]

tatistics

: "Statistics are correct as of the end of the 2008 season"

References

External links

*AflRleague|ref=H/Harry_Taylor.html
*Geelplayer|ref=18314