GIANTS young-gun Sam Taylor has capped off a stellar season with inclusion in the 2022 Therabody All-Australian team.
Named at centre half back, it’s the first All-Australian honour for the young defender who was presented with his inaugural blazer at a ceremony in Melbourne on Wednesday evening.
Playing in all 23 games for the GIANTS this season, Taylor led the league in total intercepts and intercepts per game, ranked second in spoils, and averaged 15.2 disposals.
It’s a fitting reward for the 23-year-old who has enjoyed a career best season, taking on – and beating – the best key forwards in the competition.
GIANTS General Manager of Football Jason McCartney said Taylor was a worthy recipient of All Australian honours.
“Sam has had an outstanding season and deserves his place alongside the competition’s best this season,” McCartney said.
“We know he’s an exceptionally hardworking and talented player but his courage in defence and ability to lead the backline have been instrumental for us this year.
“He has proven he can shut down the best forwards in the league, and given he is still only in his fifth year, it’s incredibly exciting for us.
“I’d also like to congratulate co-captain Josh Kelly on his nomination in the 44-man squad. Though he didn’t make the final team, he’s been recognised for another impressive season leading the club both on and off the field.”
Selected at pick 28 in the NAB 2017 AFL Draft, Taylor has emerged as one of the best defenders in the game following a breakout season in 2019.
However, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the West Australian native who spent almost the entire 2020 season sidelined by a hip infection.
The time off was a ‘re-set’ for Taylor who attributes his hard work ethic from having to rebuild his body again.
Speaking to Daniel Garb for afl.com earlier this season, Taylor spoke about the injury that sidelined him for 12 months and helped set up his foundations for success.
"I had to rebuild everything from scratch again. I really used that to my advantage, and I flipped the script, and as cliche as that sounds, I worked on getting stronger” Taylor said.
"I lost about 12 kilos, and lost my glutes all together. So, I had to build that back up again. But looking back on it, I wouldn't want it any other way, it put me in the situation where I am right now.”
He also used the time off to study – both opposing forwards and other backmen - which is evident in his impressive football IQ and ability to read the game.
"To say I'm passionate is pretty much a bit of an understatement. Whenever I get beat, I look at ways how that can happen, and I just hate giving stuff up. I want to win in every single way," he said.
"The art of defending, some forwards and mids might say there's not a lot to it, but there's a lot of little niches you can pick up. It's becoming less one on one now, so it's huge to start defending, and working as a unit.”
Sam Taylor follows in the footsteps of Toby Greene, Heath Shaw, Josh Kelly, Lachie Whitfield Whitfield, Nick Haynes, Dylan Shiel and Jeremy Cameron who all received All-Australian honours with the GIANTS before him.
The 2022 All-Australian selection panel is Gillon McLachlan (chairman), Jude Bolton, Nathan Buckley, Kane Cornes, Andrew Dillon, Glen Jakovich, Gerard Healy, Chris Johnson, Cameron Ling, Nick Riewoldt and Brad Scott. Kevin Sheehan is also a selector for the NAB AFL Rising Star Award.
FOR ALL THE AWARD WINNERS FROM THE NIGHT CLICK HERE
