Lenny Hayes on why GWS Giants midfielder Tim Taranto is so special

Giants midfield coach Lenny Hayes says Tim Taranto sometimes plays a blinder, but the emerging star refuses to be satisfied. Ahead of game 50, he reveals what makes the GWS star so good.

Taranto wins the ball and works hard when he doesn’t have it. Pic: AAP

Giants midfield coach Lenny Hayes says Tim Taranto’s twin talent is what makes him a key performer with another level still to hit.

The 21-year-old hits the 50-game milestone on Sunday as Leon Cameron’s side tackle North Melbourne in Tasmania.

In a midfield dripping with riches, Taranto leads the Giants’ disposals tally and also sits inside the competition’s top 10.

“The beauty about Tim is that he’s always looking to improve,” Hayes told The Daily Telegraph. “Even if you think he’s had a fantastic game he’s always at my desk Monday and Tuesday, going through his review and looking for areas that he can try and get better at. I think that’s one of his greatest traits, that he’s really driven but he’s also a very good team man.

“Tim has obviously increased his disposal rate but he’s still one of the best pressure players in the competition too. We really rate him highly because he can do both. He’s that real two-way midfielder and that’s what he encourage all our boys to be. He’s having a fantastic season.

“Both Jacob (Hopper) and Tim are playing big roles in the midfield and the more time they spend with Josh (Kelly), Steve Coniglio, and Mummy (Shane Mumford) as the ruck, it just keeps building that confidence, that belief and that understanding of what each other brings. “They’ve got unique skill sets but we feel they complement each other really well.”

It’s a point acknowledged by Taranto himself ahead of his 50th outing. Speaking on the Footy Phil podcast, he said: “I’m just really big on always trying to get better, every week I try and improve myself and I guess having more opportunity this year in the midfield,” he said.

“I’m working really well with the other boys in there and I’ve got really good connection. I’m really enjoying it.”

Tim Taranto is always working. Pic: AAP

The Giants again had to endure a pre-season where some questioned if the players departing had left too big a hole to fill.

But with youngsters like Taranto thriving and those drafted last summer hammering at the door, Hayes sees only positives.

“A lot of people said after last year that maybe that was the tipping point, losing a few players,” he said. “But I think we always had that belief that with opportunity guys step up and I think we’ve seen that this year, not only in the midfield but in the forward line and back line as well.”

Taranto wins the ball and works hard when he doesn’t have it. Pic: AAP

Next up it’s the Kangaroos in Hobart and a chance to bounce back from last week’s loss to the Crows.

“The Kangaroos have been in great form and Rhyce Shaw and seems like he’s got the players up and about,” Hayes said.

“But we need to get our own back yard right, we need four quarters of consistent effort and if we do that we give ourselves a good chance to win the game.

“We played in patches last week but it wasn’t enough to get it done. I think everyone’s keen to get down to Hobart and put in a good showing.”