Country footy: Lewis Taylor signs for Terang Mortlake in Hampden League

A former AFL Rising Star winner will play in country Victoria next year as he prepares to return home. Here’s what lured him back.

Terang Mortlake believes premiership glory isn’t too far away after the return of a former AFL player.

The Hampden Football Netball League side has Lewis Taylor, a former Bloods junior, has signed for the 2023 season.

Taylor joins after being delisted from Sydney this year after playing 124 games in the AFL.

“It’s massive,” Bloods president Joel Crawley said.

“His dad and younger brother live in Mortlake, which is the home town and he moved home and left all his clothes at home (after leaving Sydney).

“His best mates are playing and he talked to us about joining the club.

“There’s a big buzz around the whole town.”

Former Sydney Swan and Brisbane player Lewis Taylor has joined Terang Mortlake. Picture: AAP.

Taylor is currently based in the Northern Territory, in Katherine, is set to stay there until sometime next year before he returns home.

Crawley revealed the new signing would be with the club for a majority of the season.

“He’ll be an assistant coach under Ben Kenna and hopefully he brings knowledge back from the AFL,” he said.

“A lot of his work will go into the midfield group as that is where he will be playing.

“We’re hoping to get him for 12-14 games, he’s (Taylor) hoping to move back to Mortlake at some stage.”

Lewis Taylor played 124 AFL games. Picture: AAP.

The Bloods president said the signing changes expectations at the club.

Last season, Terang Mortlake finished eighth but there is renewed confidence a finals push could be on the cards.

“It’s a lift (for us),” Crawley said.

“Our side is very young, there are a lot of 17, 18 and 19-year-olds.

“He’s already been to training last night and we’ve already picked up four recruits, Lewis is the fifth.

“You don’t want to get too far ahead, there are a lot of good sides in the league still hungry for success.

“But all players have got belief (with Taylor) we can match it with the top three sides.”

And it could get better yet with Crawley revealing the club is in discussions with a VFL player who is currently in the Northern Territory playing in the NTFL.

“We’re still definitely working on it now (recruits) with Lewis,” Crawley said.

“Hopefully we’ll do a bit more recruiting.”