White may be developed as that tall mobile back. I do not think we should be to worried about Taylors height. Guns (if he is to be one) find ways to beat taller players.

Also we may do a 'hawks' and get a tall back via FA. The 2026 draft has a few talls.

We have 2 first rounders in 2026 and they will be worth 'gold' as with Tassie coming in 2027 and 2028 are 2 lost draft years.

4 hours ago, redandbluemakepurple said:

Yes, he is too short to cover up-coming FF and CHF. This is no point trying him forward and MFC already has many 193-194 cm forwards.

I was being facetious, you know he hasn’t been brought in as a key position defender though, yeah? That’s not the role he’ll be playing.

I'm so stoked with this guy! Tough and competitive, and a bit nasty too!

Athleticism is off the charts - I can see him progressing up the field as his career develops. For now guarantees that Rivers becomes a permanent onballer.

So pumped. Was sure one of Richmond or Essendon would take him.

On 29/11/2025 at 14:56, manny100 said:

White may be developed as that tall mobile back. I do not think we should be to worried about Taylors height. Guns (if he is to be one) find ways to beat taller players.

Also we may do a 'hawks' and get a tall back via FA. The 2026 draft has a few talls.

We have 2 first rounders in 2026 and they will be worth 'gold' as with Tassie coming in 2027 and 2028 are 2 lost draft years.

Well I for one am hoping those 2 first rounders are called 'Bailey' and 'Humphrey'

The eight AFL draftees primed to make an instant impact in 2026

(https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-eight-afl-draftees-primed-to-make-an-instant-impact-in-2026-20251130-p5njkp.html)

Xavier Taylor (Melbourne)

The Demons’ recruiters were doing cartwheels when Taylor slipped through to them. He developed impressively across the season, culminating in his best-on-ground performance in the Eastern Ranges’ grand final triumph. Taylor is 192 centimetres, which helps him impact the game aerially in defence, where he is an excellent interceptor. He is not afraid to take the game on, but also stands up defensively and has improved his decision-making, which will help him play early, while he is confident enough to back himself.

Latrelle Pickett (Melbourne)

Kysaiah Pickett’s cousin has joined him at the Demons, and his arrival could lead to more midfield time for the former – or a mercurial double act up forward that threatens to give opposition defenders nightmares. Latrelle Pickett turns 20 in a few weeks, but enjoyed a standout season laced with brilliance and loads of goals in the SANFL that propelled him up draft boards. Melbourne have lacked that type of forward, particularly when Pickett is further afield, so pencil him into the Demons’ 23 now.

How far away is my boy from a debut? His VFL numbers look solid without being spectacular. But this guy was my favourite in last year's draft. Love his fire and competitiveness.

And his athleticism opens up so many possibilities. He's a ripper.