Elijah Taylor a breeder’s dream with family ties to Tim Kelly, Nicky Winmar and Paddy Ryder

Elijah Taylor has a family tree full of AFL talent, including Tim Kelly, been likened to Jaidyn Stephenson and says his greatest asset is his goalkicking, with either foot.

Tim Kelly is related to AFL draft prospect Elijah Taylor. Picture: AFL Photos

In horse racing terms, Elijah Taylor is a breeder’s dream.

On his father’s side of the family tree sit former St Kilda star Nicky Winmar, Derek and Dale Kickett, former Fremantle defender Roger Hayden, former North Melbourne forward Tom Curran and St Kilda ruckman Paddy Ryder.

On his mum’s side of the tree there are West Coast midfielder Tim Kelly, former Eagles pair Troy Ugle and Phil Narkle and Geelong forward Quinton Narkle.

MORE AFL DRAFT NEWS

AFL Draft hopefuls with famous family ties

The 20 top prospects ahead of the AFL Draft

Now Taylor is set to become the latest in the family tree to join the AFL ranks, the skilful mid-sized forward — who plays a little like Collingwood’s Jaidyn Stephenson — shaping as hot property in this year’s draft.

“I’d probably describe myself as pretty quick, good in the air, good around goals,” Taylor said.

“My biggest strength would probably be goalkicking. I’m pretty accurate, either foot within 40m.”

Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >

That’s right – Taylor does not have a preference on what foot to kick.

In his first game for Western Australia at the under-18 national championships this year, Taylor recorded seven kicks with his right foot and one with his left.

In the next game he also had eight kicks – five with his left foot and three with his right.

“I’ve just always kicked on both feet ever since I was about eight years old,” Taylor said.

“I think I might kick longer on my left but my right is good too.”

Tim Kelly is related to AFL draft prospect Elijah Taylor. Picture: AFL Photos

The 18-year-old trained with Fremantle in pre-season and has been working on his fitness which had been the major knock on him.

“It (training with the Dockers) gave me a little insight into the AFL workload and all the players go through week-in, week-out,” Taylor said.

“One of my goals at the end of last year was to get my 2km under seven minutes and I ran 6min 53 sec so that was good.”

Expected to be a late first-round or second-round selection, the Dockers (pick 22) are one club in the frame to secure Taylor’s services, while he could also suit the likes of Port Adelaide (picks 18 and 29), Sydney (pick 25) or North Melbourne (picks 26 and 27).

Taylor also placed ranked second for agility in testing at the national combine last month.

With his family split between West Coast and Fremantle supporters, Taylor decided to be different and first followed Collingwood before switching colours to Richmond more recently.

His favourite player hailed from the Magpies – 2010 premiership forward Leon Davis.

“I try to sculpt my game how he played,” Taylor said of Davis.

“Also Alan Didak. I loved watching those two players.”

Originally published as Elijah Taylor a breeder’s dream with family ties to Tim Kelly, Nicky Winmar and Paddy Ryder