Australian Football

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Key Facts

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)

Don Taylor

Advanced stats
ClubLeagueCareer spanGamesGoalsAvgWin %AKIAHBAMKBV
West AdelaideSANFL1939-1941, 1945-1946, 194958500.86—————
South MelbourneV/AFL1942, 1947-194836381.0647%———0
GlenelgSANFL1950-195477260.34—————
SANFL1939-1941, 1945-1946, 1949-1954135760.56—————
V/AFL1942, 1947-194836381.0647%———0
Total1939-1942, 1945-19541711140.67—————

AFL: 5,096th player to appear, 5,066th most games played, 2,505th most goals kickedSouth Melbourne: 599th player to appear, 428th most games played, 199th 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

Footnotes

1. The Pash Papers by Jeff Pash, page 204.

Sources

Full Points Footy's SA Football Companion

Footnotes

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