Curtis Taylor (Australian footballer)

Curtis Taylor (born 6 April 2000) is an Australian rules footballer playing for North Melbourne in the Australian Football League (AFL). He played junior football in the TAC Cup before he was selected in the 2018 AFL draft. Taylor made his AFL debut in the 2019 season.

Curtis Taylor
Personal information
Date of birth (2000-04-06) 6 April 2000
Original team(s) Calder Cannons (TAC Cup)
Draft No. 46, 2018 national draft
Debut Round 8, 2019, North Melbourne
vs. Geelong, at Marvel Stadium
Height 187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight 78 kg (172 lb)
Position(s) Forward
Club information
Current club North Melbourne
Number 5
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2019– North Melbourne 11 (5)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2020.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Junior career

In 2016, Taylor played in a senior Essendon District Football League premiership with Keilor. He played football the next year for the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup as a bottom-ager.[1] In 2018, Taylor averaged one goal and 18 disposals per match for the Cannons and represented Vic Metro at the 2018 AFL Under 18 Championships. Throughout the year, he mostly played as a forward but had stints in the midfield.[2] Ahead of the 2018 AFL draft, Taylor strained his adductor and was unable to test at the draft combine. He was considered likely to be drafted in the late first round to second round – he was invited by the AFL to the first night of the draft – and often compared to medium West Coast forward Mark LeCras. Taylor's accurate kicking and marking were praised but his speed was highlighted as a deficiency.[3]

AFL career

Taylor was drafted by North Melbourne with pick 46 in the 2018 national draft. He was often cited as a draft "slider",[4][5] which The Age attributed to clubs' concerns over his commitment at training.[6] He made his AFL debut in round 8 of the 2019 season after Scott Thompson was ruled out with an adductor injury.[7]

References
  1. Michell, Tim (26 June 2017). "Three goals from bottom-age star Curtis Taylor helps Calder Cannons earn third win of TAC Cup season". Herald Sun. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  2. Guthrie, Ben (7 November 2018). "The next LeCras? The big raps on draft prospect". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  3. Twomey, Callum (7 November 2018). "Tomorrow's Heroes: Class act who causes headaches". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  4. Jones, Mitchell (1 February 2019). "Taylor's early impact". nmfc.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  5. Olle, Sarah (11 February 2019). "'You look him in the eye': Draft slider learning from champion Roo". Fox Sports. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  6. Sakkal, Paul (28 November 2018). "Son of a gun and a draft slider: draftees arrive at Arden Street". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  7. Black, Sarah (11 May 2019). "Veteran pulls out of Cats clash, Roo to debut". AFL.com.au. Telstra Media. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
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