By Oliver Lees
The Calder Cannons had two of their brightest players picked up in the AFL draft last night.
Following Josh Goater’s selection at pick 22 to North Melbourne, Cannons best and fairest winner Zac Taylor was scooped up by Adelaide at number 44.
The 180-centimetre midfielder was a standout in the NAB League and also impressed playing in the seniors for Oak Park, where he kicked four goals in a match against Keilor Park.
That same weekend he had the opportunity to show his stuff in the VFL for Essendon, where he accumulated 10 disposals and four marks against a cluster of AFL listed players.
Across the NAB League season Taylor averaged 26 disposals, six marks and four tackles.
Taylor also averaged 21 disposals playing for Vic Metro in two trial games.
He finished four points clear of Sam Paea in the Cannon’s best and fairest, and six points ahead of Flynn Lakey.
Lakey claimed the league’s highest honour, the Morrish Medal, but did not have his name read out in the draft.
Adelaide national recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie told Crows media Taylor was an easy pick for the club.
“Zac is a feisty little player. Atat that stage of the draft the two boys were just too good not to take so we stayed true to our talent order,” Ogilvie said.
“Zac is a small forward, half-forward and midfielder, he played midfield with the Calder Cannons and senior footy with his local club.
“He can get a lot of the ball and has real speed to get outside with his agility so it’s a speed/agility combo and again he was really high on our talent order so we are very pleased to bring the two boys in together.”
