This is why Tim Taranto plays footy.
This time of year, when the home and away season has run its course.
Just eight teams are left standing, the anticipation palpable as the Premiership Cup is dangled
Finals football.
The 20-year-old may be only in his second year of AFL football, but Taranto has already developed a taste for September.
He played two finals in his first season with the GIANTS and is preparing for his third in Saturday’s SCG Elimination Final against the Swans.
“Last year was my first couple of finals – that was a whole new experience for me,” Taranto said.
“It’s a great experience, that’s why I play footy, and I’m just absolutely rapt that we can do it again this year.
“There’s not (anything like finals footy), not until you’re in the finals, I think.
“Every single player just gets that extra bit of energy, whether it’s 10 or 15
“That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
Taranto has raised his game another level in his second season, playing 21 of a possible 22 games so far in 2018 and averaging 21.1 disposals and an elite 6.24 tackles a game.
Last season, he played 12 of the first 14 games but didn’t pull on an AFL jumper again until the semi-final against West Coast.
Taranto said while the GIANTS were disappointed to drop out in the penultimate week of the 2017 finals – losing to the eventual premiers Richmond – they would take lessons from the experience heading into this year’s campaign.
“The style of footy you want to play in finals is just a really simple brand, to be honest,” Taranto said.
“I think it’s just contested, fundamental football. That’s what we’ve tried to implement this year in our game plan, and I think that’s what we’ll take into this finals series.”
