SFNL: Port Melbourne Colts captain Justin Taylor speaks on the loss of star midfielder Billie Smedts
The loss of Billie Smedts won’t impact Port Melbourne Colts’ 2024 expectations. Captain Justin Taylor reveals why while there’s some exciting news around a boom recruit.
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Port Melbourne Colts captain Justin Taylor is adamant the loss of Billie Smedts won’t impact his side’s premiership chances in 2024.
Smedts was announced as Thomson’s boom recruit on Saturday, making the switch from JL Murphy Reserve to the Geelong league to minimise travel.
The ex-Blue and Cat led the Colts in their dream finals run, particularly in his 40-disposal, two-goal performance against Springvale Districts.
Taylor, who worked well with Smedts in the Colts’ engine room, said the departing midfielder was irreplaceable.
“We’ve recruited pretty well but in terms of Billie, you can’t really replace him with what he brought on field and off field,” he said.
“You could say the way we worked together, me personally, I am going to miss him.
“From a club perspective, we’ll miss him as well, they’re hard to replace those blokes in local footy but I think the recruits Elton (footy boss Elton Stevens) has brought in, we will do our very best to cover him.”
Taylor’s expectations for 2024 however, with or without Smedts, don’t change.
“Expectations are high, as are all clubs’ at this time of the year but coming off that prelim final, getting a few quality players in the door, I don’t see why we aren’t going to be at the pointy end again,” he said.
“From the youth we had, we got kids that got 10-12 games under their belt so we expect them to help us go to the next level as well.”
One of Port Melbourne Colts’ recruits is star ruckman Shem Tatupu, who has spent some time training with Taylor this pre-season.
Taylor said Tatupu was looking ominously fit ahead of his return to footy after a knee injury.
“The big fella is looking pretty fit to be honest,” he said.
“I don’t know if he can improve on last year but his fitness is definitely at a new level for sure.”
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