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Full name
Albert Dominic Taylor
Known as
Don Taylor
Born
24 June 1920
Place of birth
Largs Bay, SA (5016)
Died
15 January 1994 (aged 73)
Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 22y 10d
Last game: 28y 72d
Height and weight
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Senior clubs
West Adelaide; South Melbourne; Glenelg
Jumper numbers
South Melbourne: 18, 26
Recruited from
West Adelaide (1942); West Adelaide (1947); South Melbourne (1949); West Adelaide (1950)
State of origin
SA
Family links
John Taylor Snr (Father)Johnny Taylor Jnr (Brother)Laurie Taylor (Brother)Merv Agars (Brother-in-law)
Club | League | Career span | Games | Goals | Avg | Win % | AKI | AHB | AMK | BV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
West Adelaide | SANFL | 1939-1941, 1945-1946, 1949 | 58 | 50 | 0.86 | — | — | — | — | — |
South Melbourne | V/AFL | 1942, 1947-1948 | 36 | 38 | 1.06 | 47% | — | — | — | 0 |
Glenelg | SANFL | 1950-1954 | 77 | 26 | 0.34 | — | — | — | — | — |
SANFL | 1939-1941, 1945-1946, 1949-1954 | 135 | 76 | 0.56 | — | — | — | — | — | |
V/AFL | 1942, 1947-1948 | 36 | 38 | 1.06 | 47% | — | — | — | 0 | |
Total | 1939-1942, 1945-1954 | 171 | 114 | 0.67 | — | — | — | — | — |
AFL: 5,096th player to appear, 5,128th most games played, 2,543rd most goals kickedSouth Melbourne: 599th player to appear, 430th most games played, 203rd most goals kicked
Described by Paul Depasquale as “one of those footballers who could hold his form no matter how celebrated the opposition”, Don Taylor gave fine service to West Adelaide, West Adelaide-Glenelg and Glenelg in 135 SANFL games, and with South Melbourne in the VFL, between 1939 and 1954. He also played nine state games for South Australia. Much of his best football was played across half back, although he could also take a turn on the ball. His form peaked during his time at the Bay and he won Glenelg’s best and fairest award on two occasions.
Taylor spent the 1965 season as non-playing coach of West Adelaide but endured a terrible time as the side slumped to ninth position on the ladder, technically their worst return up to that point.
Author - John Devaney
1. The Pash Papers by Jeff Pash, page 204.