Adelaide Crows fill final AFL list spot by signing pacy teenage defender Ayce Taylor from the Northern Knights
Adelaide has filled its final AFL list spot by recruiting Northern Knights export Ayce Taylor to the club. The Crows say the young defender is strong both in the air and on the ground.
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Adelaide has filled its AFL list by signing defensive speed machine Ayce Taylor.
A week after losing prime supplemental selection period target, pacy forward James Mathews, following a knee reconstruction after he was hurt in the under-23 Showdown, the Crows have jumped on North Melbourne VFL-listed player Taylor.
An athletic utility who has played most of his football in defence, Taylor stands at 191cm and
played 13 games for the Northern Knights in the NAB League last season, shutting down some of the under-18 competition’s best forwards.
Adelaide national recruiting manager Hamish Ogilvie said Taylor, who the Crows have signed as a rookie, would bring more speed to a rejuvenating playing list.
“Ayce Taylor adds another piece, we’re really pleased to put him on our list,’’ Ogilvie said.
“He brings high-level speed and agility, which was really enticing for us.
“He’s an athletic player that excels in the air but is equally adept on the ground, which sets him apart from other prospects.
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“Steve McCrystal (Adelaide’s eastern recruiting manager) has never dropped off his interest and pushed hard to get Ayce to the club during the 2019 AFL draft period, so that gave us real confidence.
“Ayce has been training really well at North Melbourne and has impressed during match play with their AFL-listed players, so we’re looking forward to seeing what he can bring when he joins our group.”
Ogilvie said Taylor was capable of playing on both talls and smalls and was known for his ability to impact in the air and break the lines with speed.
He showcased his athleticism and speed at last year’s Victorian State Draft Combine when he finished third in the standing vertical jump (78cm) and ran a sub-three second (2.97-sec) 20m sprint.
Like several members of the Crows list, Taylor played elite level junior basketball before concentrating on his football.
He is raw – like 2018 AFL Rising Star runner-up Tom Doedee was when Adelaide drafted him – but offers tremendous upside because of his athletic abilities and clean hands.