AFL Draft 2023: 5 surprise packets and why Panther is Taylor-made for the big time
The son of a New York Yankee and teen ready to rival Max Gawn are among the SA guns who have etched their names into recruiters’ notebooks ahead of the AFL draft.
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“From zero to a hundred.’’ That’s how giant South Adelaide teenager Taylor Goad described his meteoric rise from part-time school footballer to one of South Australia’s most exciting 2023 AFL draft prospects.
Standing out like a beacon on a football field at an imposing 207cm and possessing explosive speed, Goad has, in just a few months, gone from asking to play SANFL under-age football with the Panthers to leading the Croweaters rucks at the AFL under-18 national championships.
Now, the former junior basketball star, who recorded the fastest 20m sprint time in the South Australian squad, has etched his name into AFL recruiters’ notebooks and could be among the first Croweaters selected at this year’s national draft.
SCROLL DOWN FOR FIVE POTENTIAL SA 2023 AFL SURPRISE PACKETS
“It’s been kinda crazy,’’ the 18-year-old beanpole said.
“It was only late last year when I was sitting in an agriculture class at (Westminster) school alongside my mate Tom Wheaton (a South and SA under-18s midfielder) and he said, ‘why don’t you come out to South?’
“I said, ‘yeah, I’d love to give it a shot’.
“Tom called Mark Clayton (South talent manager and under-18s coach), who then messaged me and things went from there.
“It’s unbelievable how quickly things have progressed.’’
Goad was invited to Panthers training, impressed immediately with his athleticism and after beating out his ruck competition in pre-season games, he lined up as first ruck in the SANFL under-18s season opener against Norwood.
A few weeks later he was invited to join SA’s under-18 program and was so impressive he
was selected for the Croweaters’ opening game against the Allies, playing second fiddle to Redlegs’ over-ager Alex van Wyk.
By round three of the carnival, Goad had propelled himself to lead ruckman and he shone with the responsibility, being named SA’s fourth-best player in its only win of the championships against Vic Country.
Significantly, he performed well against highly-touted ruckmen Mitch Edwards (Western Australia), Ethan Read (Allies) and Will Green (Vic Metro).
“I learnt so much during the carnival and by the end of it felt that my game had come a long way,’’ Goad, who was tutored by SA under-18s ruck coach, Port Adelaide star Scott Lycett, said.
“Being able to hold my own and even establish myself against the ruckmen who are considered the best in the under-18 nationals was great for my confidence.’’
Goad’s rise is remarkable.
He only took up football seriously last year, once preferring basketball.
Raised down south at McLaren Vale, Goad started his football journey at age 10 with Willunga but gave it away at under-14 level to “prioritise’’ basketball, where his size and athleticism made him a standout centre.
He barely touched a football for two years as he starred on the basketball court for Westminster and the Southern Tigers, where he played division one
Goad averaged more than 30 points a game for Westminster but started to get an urge for footy again.
He suited up for his school again in Year 10 – “I loved the camaraderie of footy and getting the chance to play with so many mates,’’ he said – and at the end of last year decided to put all his eggs into the football basket.
“I had a really good year of school footy and felt that the game was suiting me a lot more, that my combination of height and agility was enabling me to exploit the opposition.”
Still growing, Goad, who tips the scales at 95kg, said playing so much basketball had “definitely helped’’ his football.
“It makes you more aware of your surroundings in traffic, which is particularly helpful at stoppages, along with being able to have good vision and hands,’’ he said.
Given his limited football experience, rawness and the fact he is still growing into his body, Goad has a massive upside.
Port Adelaide 2004 AFL premiership ruckman and South assistant and ruck coach Dean Brogan described the Year 12 student as “one of the most athletic big guys I’ve ever seen’’.
“He’s super quick, unbelievably quick. We do one-on-ones with our key backs and he gets metres on them really quickly,’’ Brogan said.
“He’s super agile, has good skills and can jump out of the stadium. Obviously he’s a bit raw but his upside is massive.
“He’s super competitive, which is always a good trait, loves contact and will definitely go to the next level.
“I think he’s going to be really, really good and something that the AFL might not have seen for a while.’’
Goad, who runs the 20m sprint in a blistering 2.92 seconds, is only 4cm shorter than the AFL’s tallest ruckman – Collingwood’s Mason Cox, who stands at 211cm.
Height runs in Goad's family, on his 193cm mum Katherine’s side.
His 14-year-old sister, Anna, already measures 183cm (six-foot in old terms) and is a Contax and state under-15 netballer.
Goad, who has an appetite for learning, has already spoken to more than half of the 18 AFL clubs and the others will soon come knocking on his door.
“It’s been a really exciting year,’’ he said.
“I’ve always been willing to learn and I push hard to get the best out of myself but to see how far I’ve come this year has been surprising.
“I’ve pretty much gone from zero to a hundred, which has been unreal.’’
Managed by top SA player agent Ben Williams, Goad is a keen fisherman – “I love catching big mulloway off the beach,’’ he said – who models his game on star Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn.
“I’ve only touched the surface of what I can do and think with the right coaching I can take my game a long way,’’ said Goad, who starred with 17 disposals (including 14 contested), 25 hit-outs, seven clearances, a goal and eight score involvements against Sturt’s under-18s in Round 14.
“I’d love to play AFL, that’s why I gave basketball away, to give it my best shot.’’
FIVE POTENTIAL SA 2023 AFL SURPRISE PACKETS
1. TAYLOR GOAD
(South Adelaide)
Ruckman, 18, 207cm, 95kg
2. JACK HUTTON
(West Adelaide)
Ruckman/forward, 18, 200cm, 90kg
Son of former New York Yankees baseball pitcher and World Series winner Mark Hutton, Jack has started to impress at under-18 level for the Bloods. He kicked 2.2 from 12 disposals against Glenelg in Round 15 and is intriguing AFL scouts with his size and skills.
3. KOBE RYAN
(West Adelaide)
Midfielder, 19, 184cm, 75kg
After being overlooked at last year’s drafts, Ryan has pushed his case this season with some standout performances at league level for the Bloods. He was their best in a narrow loss to ladder-leading Glenelg in Round 14, tallying 27 disposals, 15 tackles and 11 clearances.
4. ANDERS McSHANE
(Glenelg)
Midfielder/forward, 18. 185cm, 71kg
Hard-at-it midfielder/forward has an appetite for the contest and has taken a big step forward in his development this season. Like Goad, McShane was a late addition to the SA under-18 squad but made his way into the team and didn't look out of place on the big stage. Lacks some polish but makes up for it with desire and toughness.
5. LOCH RAWLINSON
(Sturt)
Forward/midfielder. 18, 177cm, 69kg
One of the state’s big improvers, having come on in leaps and bounds this season. Rawlinson played all four AFL under-18 national championship games for SA and has averaged 20 disposals at under-18 SANFL level, exciting with his combination of speed and skills.
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