Geelong defender Harry Taylor to discuss future with club officials at the end of the season

Gary Ablett isn’t the only big name at Geelong whose future beyond 2019 remains uncertain. Cats stalwart Harry Taylor is one of four veterans facing a big decision in coming weeks.

Gary Ablett and Harry Taylor have decisions to make. Picture: Alison Wynd

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Veteran Geelong defender Harry Taylor will consider pulling the curtain on his decorated career after talks with club chiefs at season’s end.

The dual premiership player is out of contract at season’s end and has admitted he would be unlikely to play for another club in a Luke Hodge or Jordan Lewis-style role for next season.

He is one of four veterans facing key talks on their futures at Geelong alongside champion Gary Ablett, former Blue Lachie Henderson and tagger Scott Selwood.

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Harry Taylor has been a stalwart of the Cats’ back half for more than a decade. Pic: AAP

Taylor is one of the most beloved figures at Geelong and remains an integral part of the back line as the Cats hunt another flag under Chris Scott.

His continued strong form this season has fuelled belief he could play on again next season, with the Cats almost certain to remain in premiership contention.

The 33-year-old has shown remarkable durability, playing 21 senior games this year after struggling with a plantar fascia problem last season.

Taylor said he was currently more focused on Geelong’s finals campaign than his contract, but would make a big call on his future in conjunction with Geelong officials at season’s end.

“We are just going to wait and see what happens at the end of the year and sit down with ‘Wellsy’ (list chief Stephen Wells) and the other relevant people will work out whether the best thing for me is to retire or keep playing footy at the Cats,” Taylor said.

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“I have just been trying to focus on a week-to-week mentality and that’s probably why I am enjoying my footy and probably playing a more consistent season.

“I just genuinely get up on the day, check what I have got that day from a schedule point of view and go and try and do it the best I can.

“I haven’t really let my mind wander too much because I am one that thinks a fair bit and likes to analyse a lot of things.

“So, although that’s a strength on a lot of occasions, it can also be a weakness.”

Taylor has been a mainstay in defence for more than a decade and played a heroic role on St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt in the 2009 Grand Final, keeping the centre half forward to only 13 disposals and one goal.

Taylor has played on — and beaten — the best.

The man who will be remembered as one of Geelong’s most important players throughout its premiership era has also enjoyed some brief forays forward, kicking a career-high 22 goals in 2017.

Statistically this season, he’s had his best year since 2016 according to Champion Data’s AFL player ratings, averaging 14 disposals and six intercept possessions a game.

The Cats again have the No. 1 rated defence heading into Friday night’s blockbuster first final against Collingwood at the MCG.

Taylor faces a likely job on one of Collingwood’s gun forwards including in-form goal kicker Jamie Elliott.

While Taylor would hold enormous appeal to a club such as Gold Coast for his immense character qualities and ability to mentor younger players, the swingman said he could not envisage himself playing elsewhere else.

He turned down West Coast several years ago because of his attachment to the Cats.

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“I just couldn’t remove myself from the culture here, it was just so strong and I couldn’t see myself playing anywhere else,” he said on Triple M.

“That’s probably still the case now, to be honest.

“I just love the Geelong community, the Geelong Football Club and everything that it offers at this point in time.

“It would be pretty hard to see myself wearing another coloured jumper.”