Calder Cannons pair recognised among Australia’s best draft talent

An exciting midfield-forward with a deadly right foot and big-bodied ball-winner from Calder Cannons are among Australia’s best draft talent.

Calder Cannons' AFL Draft hopes.

One of the best kicks in the draft and an exciting big-bodied midfielder lead the Calder Cannons draft hopes.

Zac Taylor and Josh Goater were recognised as two of the best talents available this year with invites to the AFL Draft Combine.

Taylor is a 180cm midfielder-forward with a deadly right foot, while Goater is 190cm and capable of playing inside midfield or an intercept-marking half-back.

Taylor, 18, averages 26 disposals, six marks and four tackles in seven NAB League matches.

He also impressed in two trial games with Vic Metro and made his senior debut for EDFL club Oak Park.

Zac Taylor in action for the Calder Cannons. Picture: Michael Klein

Cannons talent manager Matt Burton said Taylor had taken his preparation to a new level this year and it was paying dividends.

“We feel like Zac has started to understand what it takes to be an elite junior footballer and what needs to be done to get to his ultimate goal (of being drafted),” Burton said.

“We’ve seen a massive jump in his leadership, work ethic, and his professionalism – not to say it wasn’t at the standard prior – but we’ve been really proud of the work Zac’s put in.

“It’s been documented he’s in the top percentile for kicks in the draft.

“Zac takes a lot of pride in his kicking and is really damaging and can change the offensive ball movement.

“And it’s not just his talent with his kicking, it’s his ability to change direction with his feet.

“He works really well inside a box in terms of when he’s under pressure, he can change direction and create time for himself.”

It’s been a rapid rise for Taylor, who is now projected to be a potential second-round pick.

Goater has quietly worked his way into the season, improving with every game.

The Sunbury junior has averaged 24 disposals, five marks and two tackles in seven games this season and made his senior Ballarat Football League debut.

Josh Goater in action for Calder Cannons. Picture: Michael Klein

Capable of winning the ball inside the contest and doing damage outside, Goater can also use his marking ability in defence.

Burton said Goater’s second half of the season had been outstanding.

“Josh has got some fantastic athletic attributes and they’re really prominent when he’s on the outside or he can read the game and use his aerial strengths,” Burton said.

“It’s great he’s also spent time at inside midfield with us and Metro to learn that physical side of the game and win some ball himself.

“Especially from the middle part of the year he showed some capabilities of playing on the inside.

“We had a discussion with him about trying himself at half-back and he’s really enjoyed that challenge, feels really comfortable and has shown real traits and strengths at the position.

“He’s started to put it all together in the last three or four games we played and had a couple of really good games in Metro colours as well.”

Goater’s upside could see him taken as high as a late first-round pick.

There will also be an opportunity for Calder teammates to prove their draft credentials at state combines.

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The likes of Jack Newitt, Sam Paea, Sam Tucker, Flynn Gentile, Matthew Gook and Liam Podhajski all featured in the Vic Metro trials in June.

“With my Calder Cannons hat on I think we’ve got a couple that were unlucky but that’s the nature of the beast,” Burton said.

“I’m hoping a couple of our boys get another opportunity, especially at state level, to put their hand up.

“Lists are always fluid in terms of combine invites and Metro, so there’s always opportunities to knock the door down.”