SANFL premier North Adelaide unveils Roosters colours atop West End brewery chimney
AFL hopeful Boyd Woodcock has dedicated North Adelaide’s premiership win to a late club trainer, while joining his teammates in the traditional unveiling of the Roosters’ colours atop the West End brewery chimney. See the video.
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NORTH Adelaide premiership hero and AFL hopeful Boyd Woodcock has dedicated the Roosters’ flag win to a long-term club trainer who died following their season-opener.
Vaughan Taylor collapsed shortly after North’s round one loss to Central District at Elizabeth Oval and was unable to be resuscitated.
Woodcock, who hails from the Yorke Peninsula near Taylor’s Bute farm, said the loyal volunteer typified the close bonds between Roosters players, staff and supporters.
Speaking at Tuesday’s chimney unveiling ceremony, the former Bute Paskeville junior recognised Taylor’s contribution to North’s 14th SANFL premiership.
“I knew Vaughan and his family very well,” Woodcock, 18, said.
“It was a tragedy, but as a club we took it on the chin and tried to do him and his family proud.
“There’s a lot of people involved behind the scenes that a lot of people don’t hear about or know about.
“But they’re a massive part of the club and a massive part of the reason why we’re here today.”
Woodcock continued his impressive late season form by kicking three goals in Sunday’s stunning grand final victory over Norwood at Adelaide Oval.
It added to the five majors the small forward had previously notched during North’s post-season campaign, which had left AFL scouts circling.
Woodcock said seeing the Roosters’ colours atop the West End brewery made the unlikely premiership sink in — 12 months after the club finished bottom.
“It’s something I always dreamed of doing when I was a kid and to be able to do it at such a young age is pretty special,” last year’s SANFL under-18 best and fairest said.
“I just played my role (in the grand final) and went out there and did what I was asked to do.
“It was a pretty big relief (at the final siren) after such a big season and to be able to come out on top, especially after finishing as wooden-spooner last year, is just awesome.
“Having all the supporters here for us today just proves how good a club this is.”
North’s players were presented to hundreds of vocal fans, who had gathered to observe the traditional unveiling which dates back to 1954.
Proceedings were halted momentarily when an on-stage assistant fainted, but she recovered shortly after to continue her role in the ceremony.
Woodcock said he would carry the premiership euphoria into next month’s state draft combine.
“If it (AFL) happens, it happens and if it doesn’t, I’m happy at North Adelaide,” he said.
“It’s such a young team and we’re all so tight because we’ve come up playing together.
“Hopefully in the future there’s a few more (flags) here to come.”
Roosters coach Josh Carr said the flag was reward for the club’s supporters, who had suffered through a 27-year premiership drought.
The mentor was confident he would retain the core of his playing squad, but refused to look too far ahead.
“It’s been really enjoyable just to sit back and reflect on the year that we’ve had,” Carr said.
“We’ll address the group next week and sit down and talk about the plan going forward.
“But you just want them to bottle this up and understand what the feeling is and know how much hard work they want to put it to get it again.”
