Australian Football

AustralianFootball.com Celebrating the history of the great Australian game

 

Key Facts

Full name
Brian Taylor

Known as
Brian Taylor

Nickname
BT, Barge

Born
10 April 1962 (age 61)

Place of birth
Mandurah, WA (6210)

Occupation
Media, football commentator

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 18y 121d
Last game: 28y 151d

Height and weight
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 91 kg

Senior clubs
Richmond; Collingwood; Prahran

Jumper numbers
Richmond: 21
Collingwood: 9

Recruited from
Richmond (1985); Collingwood (1991)

State of origin
WA

Family links
James Rowbottom (Nephew)Charlie Rowbottom (Niece)

Brian Taylor

ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
RichmondV/AFL1980-1984431563.6353%6.791.814.917
CollingwoodV/AFL1985-1990973713.8251%7.451.965.1416
PrahranVFA1991-1992311334.29
V/AFL1980-19901405273.7651%7.251.915.0723
VFA1991-1992311334.29
Total1980-19921716603.86

AFL: 9,199th player to appear, 1,488th most games played, 57th most goals kickedRichmond: 825th player to appear, 339th most games played, 40th most goals kickedCollingwood: 865th player to appear, 188th most games played, 10th most goals kicked

Originally from Mandurah in Western Australia, full forward Brian Taylor was recruited by Richmond without ever having played league football in his home state. Usually referred to either as 'Barge', owing to his formidable 191 cm, 91 kg frame, or 'BT', he was signally unfortunate in that the Tigers already had a top quality full forward in Michael Roach who remained ahead of him in the pecking order throughout his five-season stint at Punt Road.

Between 1980 and 1984 Taylor played just 43 senior games, kicking 156 goals. He was not selected in either of Richmond's Grand Final teams (in 1980 and 1982) during that period. He did, however, manage to top the Tigers' goal-kicking list with 61 goals in his last season with the club.

In 1985, Taylor crossed to Collingwood, where for a time he became something of a cult hero. He played 97 games in six seasons with the Magpies, heading their goal kicking list every year but the last. His tally of precisely 100 goals in 1986 made him the VFL's top goal kicker that year, and overall he kicked 371 goals for Collingwood. In 1986 West Australian football fans at Subiaco Oval were presented with the farcical sight of Taylor lining up for Victoria against his home state in a so-called 'state of origin' match. He performed well, too, but his tally of 4.2 for the match was not enough to get the Victorians over the line as the home state won by three points.

A combination of knee problems and coach Leigh Matthews' desire to operate with a more mobile forward line limited Taylor's senior appearances in 1990, a season which ultimately saw the Magpies win the premiership. Taylor left the club at the end of that season - somewhat acrimoniously, it must be said - and took up the role of playing coach at Prahran in the VFA. In 1992 he led the side to a third-place finish, its best result for many years. He also continued to perform well as a player, kicking 16 goals - a personal record - in one match against Oakleigh.

Taylor has since gone on to forge a highly successful media career as a football commentator for radio and television.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Footy Publications

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.