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.

5 minutes ago, Demonland said:

That's awesome- on two levels.

One, who doesn't love it when a new draftee debuts?

Two, it's clear from comments made by King that XT had some things to work on, and I suspect attitude was one such thing.

If King is picking him I assume XT has worked on those things to King's satisfaction.

XT's leg speed won't hurt either.

21 minutes ago, binman said:

That's awesome- on two levels.

One, who doesn't love it when a new draftee debuts?

Two, it's clear from comments made by King that XT had some things to work on, and I suspect attitude was one such thing.

If King is picking him I assume XT has worked on those things to King's satisfaction.

XT's leg speed won't hurt either.

I assume (hope) he's been working on these things too and deserves the call up but I cant help but feel he's come in out of necessity.

No Salem, Bowey, Rivers, CJ and possibly XL now too. We're looking a bit bare for medium backs who can use the ball.

Would love to see XT go out and really play to his strengths. Take the game on, generate that speed off the backline. I'm sure Kingy will be backing him in.

Edited 12 hours ago12 hr by Petal

Certainly one of the greatest muscle cars ever built - the Ford Falcon XT. Xavier Taylor the Flying Falcon.

Super excited to see XT debut 😈

Was stoked when he fell to us last year and reckon he’s got so much to offer both defensively and offensively, especially in King’s system

Might be a bit earlier than we expected but doesn’t seem like the type to take a backwards step - go well Reg!

9 minutes ago, Demonland said:

https://x.com/melbournefc/status/2044326634715787430?s=46&t=4yiPa6LJbgt-ACIG0WMIuA

What a beautiful moment!

Go Reg ………. do yourself, your family, your Club and us supporters proud! ❤️💙

Love this selection. He is the future and apart from his pace, what better place to make your debut and test yourself against some of the best players in the comp.

Not sure he is quite ready yet but doesn’t matter. Time to see what he’s got.

Hopefully he gets multiple games in a row and if so, could develop quickly.

Go well young man.

On 04/11/2025 at 21:46, spirit of norm smith said:

I reckon the most guaranteed player in the draft is Xavier Taylor. I rate him in the best 5 available in this draft. Absolutely looks and plays like a footballer. Smart. Composed. Has Aggression. Excellent judge of a mark. He is a lock for 200 games in my view. Think “Disco Turner” type. If you push him, expect it back two-fold. Whilst he’s not a player we need, he would be a very good addition. In my opinion he simply couldn’t be passed up by the Tigers or the Bombers.

And away we go.

Xavier Taylor to debut in round 6, 2026 v Lions.

1 hour ago, binman said:

That's awesome- on two levels.

One, who doesn't love it when a new draftee debuts?

Two, it's clear from comments made by King that XT had some things to work on, and I suspect attitude was one such thing.

If King is picking him I assume XT has worked on those things to King's satisfaction.

XT's leg speed won't hurt either.

Not sure about XT having an attitude issue. In his draft year, last year, he had leadership capabilities. Let’s not assume, after 6 months this translates into AFL levels.

The kid is just out of probation period in employment terms.

Fantastic for him and for the club. The future. Does surprise me a bit, because I didn't think that he'd debut against the Lions forwards, talk about baptism by fire. Equally, the cupboard is bare so he gets his shot. Go well young man.

Let’s go Taylor! Very excited to see him play. We’ll have all the future on display on Sunday

I reckon his debut was brought fwd a bit by injuries but you grab your chance when you get it

Strikes me as a bloke that will step up to the big stage no problem

Nice family vibes with the debut reaction. This kid is a jet, he'll be suited to the tempo. Exciting. Good time to bring him in.

Going to get plenty of footy back there

Oh boy

Deserves his call up, I have been a big fan and watching at Casey, this boy takes NO SHHEEEIT!

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

That was great to hear his mum and sisters reaction.

Good luck young fella hopefully the start of a long career at the Dees

His potential and upside are HUGE so I have no doubts he can be a 200 game player, but I have watched him at Casey and thought he was a fair way off AFL standard, to be honest. Injuries rush him into the 23. His pace and evasion ability will surprise a few, but being set against the Lions forwards will be a massive first test.

I hope he kills it but reckon his lack of physical development might mean he struggles for impact.

1 hour ago, Nietaphart said:

Not sure about XT having an attitude issue. In his draft year, last year, he had leadership capabilities. Let’s not assume, after 6 months this translates into AFL levels.

The kid is just out of probation period in employment terms.

I think Binman is right about Reg’s attitude “adjustment.” It’s like the kid who was top dog in grade six then in year seven finds he’s a little fish in a big pond. I don’t know if it’s a Kingy thing or a leadership group thing or if he’s just realised it on his own but he’s definitely changed in that regard since day one.