Paul Taylor (rugby league)

Paul Taylor (born 26 July 1959) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s.[1] He played at club level for Parramatta Eels (Heritage No. 385) for nine season between 1981-1989, Oldham (Heritage No.) (two spells) in 1984 and 1989, Wakefield Trinity (Heritage No. 1015) in 1989-90, and Penrith Panthers (Heritage No. 295) in 1990 before retiring. He played as a fullback, five-eighth, halfback, hooker, second-row, or lock, i.e. number 1, 6, 7, 9, 11 or 12, or 13.

For other persons named Paul Taylor, see Paul Taylor.

Paul Taylor
Personal information
Full namePaul Taylor
Born (1959-07-26) 26 July 1959
Playing information
PositionUtility
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1981–89 Parramatta Eels 157 30 0 6 116
1984–85 Oldham 32 11 0 2 46
1988–89 Oldham 10 1 0 0 4
1989–90 Wakefield Trinity 1 0 0 0 0
1990 Penrith Panthers 3 1 0 1 5
Total 203 43 0 9 171
Source: [1]

Playing career

Taylor played in four grand finals for Parramatta Eels including three winning premiership teams in 1982, 1983 and 1986. He was also listed as a reserve in Parramatta's first grand final win in 1981. Taylor was the favoured fullback during the Jack Gibson era at Parramatta and played a total of 150 first grade games with the club.

In 2013, Taylor spoke to the media about his time at Parramatta saying "I always thought I was under par in talent compared to the other blokes but I had endurance,So I had to work out how to fit in once I got in there, and that meant looking at the speed and ability of the side and working out what I could bring to the table. I just tried to be the fittest bloke at the club, and in the end it worked out well".[2]

In a brilliant club career, two highlights include (1) in a club game during the 1981 season, Paul Taylor made an astonishing 52 tackles in a match, and (2) during the 1988 season he equaled a club record by scoring 4 tries in a match against Canberra Raiders.[1] Unfortunately, he was always overlooked as a representative player.

After a bitter dispute with Parramatta during the 1989 off season, Taylor moved to the Penrith Panthers. He only played 3 games for the Panthers in 1990 before a broken collarbone ended his career.[3]

Post playing

Taylor later coached at club level for Central Coast[1]

In 1996, Taylor was made a life member of the Parramatta Eels.[4]

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/the-untold-story-of-former-parramatta-eel-paul-taylor-in-their-golden-era/news-story/5e89b11391e3d3dc9f29c8c04f9c5a00
  3. Alan Whiticker, Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players, 1996
  4. "Parramatta National Rugby League Life Members". Parramatta Eels.
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