adonski

SNAPSHOT: “A daring defensive distributor who takes on the game with his raw speed and slick foot skills.” – Michael Alvaro The term ‘bolter’ and Oskar Taylor go hand-in-hand. An outstanding Coates Talent League campaign alone has seen the speedy Eastern Ranges defender surge into first round contention, despite being overlooked for Vic Metro selection mid-year. Taylor was a consistent figure for the premiers, playing 17 of a possible 19 games and being named among his side’s bests on nine occasions. For his efforts, Taylor claimed second place in the Ranges’ best and fairest, and is one of a handful of prospect from the region likely to be selected in the top 20 come draft time. It comes on the back of a rather unheralded junior career, where Taylor turned out only five times as a bottom-ager last year having debuted in Round 15. He was a role player, but turned into a genuine star. An eye-catching type with his daring style on the rebound, Taylor had his potential recognised with a state draft combine invite. That was soon upgraded to a national combine call-up, promoted alongside Eastern teammate and fellow bolter Sullivan Robey. There, Taylor showcased his speed deliver two top-10 results, including the quickest 20m sprint time of 2.823 seconds. STRENGTHS: + Consistency + Dare + Defensive accountability + Kicking + Rebounding + Speed IMPROVEMENTS: - Contested game - Strength Taylor has an impressive array of footballing weapons at his disposal. On a skill level, his kicking helps set him apart in what is often considered a dime-a-dozen role across half-back. He is entrusted with kick-in duties and is expansive with ball in hand further afield, able to either drive the ball long or adjust with short, precise passes. Taylor makes lightning-fast decisions and is capable of shifting angles, cutting apart opposition defences. Combine that nous with his athletic gifts, and Taylor screams 'hurt factor'. Clocking up the fastest 20m sprint (2.823 seconds), and second-fasted agility test (7.84) times at the National Draft Combine, Taylor is among the breed of players who translates those results on-field. His carving and daring runs on the rebound allow him to not only start transitional chains from defence, but also finish them with a kick inside attacking 50. He often takes off immediately, backing his raw pace to lose opponents. That conviction makes him extremely hard to tackle, dazzling the opposition and putting them on the back foot. Taylor's running power makes him a dangerous playmaker, able to support teammates on the overlap and break lines with constant motion. He also does well to find space ahead of the ball and is a trusted distributor with his sheer variety of disposal. While most players with Taylor's strengths are flash-in-the-pan types, the Eastern Ranges bolter is far from that. He was consistent as ever across 17 Coates Talent League outings this year, reliably playing his role and worrying the opposition. Taylor also proved defensively accountable, adopting a high line where he could intercept bravely in the air, or compete to win the loose ball. He has attacking instincts, but is defence-first. Despite being capable in one-on-one battles, improvement will continue to come in Taylor's contested game. He won 72 per cent of his possessions uncontested this season, faring best as a receiver who could do damage on the outside. He's still quite lightly framed and can continue to built strength so as to not be impacted by physical pressure. Greater power will allow him to do even more damage with his run and foot skills, unimpeded. The nitty-gritty details of Taylor's profile also point towards some refinements to be made in the decision making process. He backs his weapons and aims to exhibit them at each opportunity, but that can sometimes see him run into trouble. Building his game IQ will allow him to make decisions in a more controlled and composed mode, rather than operating in one high gear. Greater exposure to high levels will help develop that trait.

This was an interesting insight from our 'Inside the Trade Room' article https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1916518/inside-the-trade-room-access The group discusses the exchange of later picks, deciding whether selections in this year’s draft or future drafts are more important. The team decide on going after selection No.37 in this year’s draft.

😮

Perhaps too niche

What happened....? 🫣

By the draft rankings yes, Dovaston ranks somewhere between 10-20 and Pickett is more like 30+

I like B.O.B as an option too

I'd be surprised if we didn't take Dovaston (The Dove™) with one of our selections, assuming we don't trade up or do anything silly like that I don't think he's got a superstar ceiling equal to a Kozzie or Rankine type, but looks a high-floor prospect especially with his ability to accumulate disposals higher up the ground

Don't mind Byrne

There was a bigfooty draft watcher who was very critical of his running

Mick Ablett doesn't know what day it is so take it with a grain of salt

Hope not

Yes to all of the above

He may not respond for a few hours given he's on Perth time

I was actually defending Lamb, as he never actually said we don't rate this draft (or at least the top 10 of it)

I remember 5 minutes ago when we didn't rate this draft

Come on PF. We need our pre season Casey intel!

Pick 7

FB: Salem Petty Lever HB: Bowey Disco Lindsay C: Langdon Rivers Windsor HF: Pickett JVR Langford FF: Fritsch Mihocek Chandler R: Gawn Viney Steele I/C: CJ Melksham Culley Tholstrup EMG: Jefferson Henderson Sparrow A few thoughts: It's really not a bad side, but misses the obvious star power of (prime) Trac and Clarry If picks 7 & 8 hit the ground running we'll have some impressive young talent running around Can't see why we'd play May in R1 unless injuries strike Really need another high quality small forward

Yeah I was under the impression you could trade them after the trade period

2 of Grlj, The Dove, Oscar Taylor would be ideal With Lindsay as a handy plan B

Lamb sounded like they'd just take 7 & 8 to the draft in that footage, if that means anything

We got 37? I didn't see that lol