Tara Murray
Sunbury Lions midfielder Emily Taylor was left stunned after claiming the Essendon District Football League women’s division 2 best and fairest.
After missing several games with a busted finger, Taylor didn’t think she had played enough games to win the award.
But she had, to finish on 16 votes, one clear of Coburg Districts captain Olivia Woods.
Taylor was shocked at the league awards night on Thursday night. She was also at last year’s awards night after finishing fourth in the division 1 count 12 months ago.
“I wasn’t expecting it,” she said. “I was even surprised that I got the invite.
“Cause I missed so many games I was out. I really had a good season this year and the girls were so good at backing me up.
“I reckon it was my most consistent season even with a few injuries.”
Taylor spent much of the season as stand-in skipper for the Lions, after Laura Giles went down with a knee injury.
It was a challenge that she enjoyed.
“We lost Lozzy G and we lost Pepper [Bianca Pepper] who was really strong in our forward line,” she said.
“Once we lost those two we did struggle a little bit and we had a lot of girls step up and they did a really good job.”
Taylor helped lead the side into the grand final.
She did it with another dislocated finger, she did in the preliminary final. Taylor said the nurses at the hospital said it was the best dislocate that they’ve seen.
On the day she did, she told people that she was going to get it put back in and be back by half time.
“I did it seven minutes into the game,” she said. “I think I was more upset that I didn’t get to finish the game and actually hurting myself.
“I got through the grand final on adrenaline. Recovery sucks.”
Taylor had to play forward in the grand final due to the injury, impacting the Lions midfield strength.
She said there’s a lot of motivation in the group for next year.
“The girls that stepped up throughout the season and the young ones that came up to help during the season, were really good,” she said.
The medal win makes Taylor the first Sunbury Lions player to win an EDFL senior league best and fairest.
Taylor said she loves her football and keeps playing despite everyone telling her to quit as she keeps hurting herself
“I’m not quitting.”
Sunbury Kangaroos forward Nat Dunne finished in third spot.
