AFL 2024: GWS star Sam Taylor eager to return after testicle injury

One of the AFL’s best defenders is ready to put a horror ordeal behind him when he returns to play on Saturday night.

GWS defender Sam Taylor will return for his first game in six weeks against Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday night. Picture: Phil Hillyard

GWS star Sam Taylor says “nothing will stop the way I play” as he returns from a horror ruptured testicle against Melbourne on Saturday night.

The defender has spent six weeks on the sidelines since suffering the injury during the Giants’ win over Port Adelaide in round 14.

It ruined his hopes of earning back-to-back All-Australian blazers, but Taylor said he was just excited to be rejoining the Giants’ finals tilt as they arrived in Melbourne with three consecutive wins under their belts.

Taylor, 25, said recovering from surgery had been challenging in the initial stages, but he felt ready to play since earlier this month.

GWS star defender Sam Taylor will return from a six-week injury lay-off on Saturday night against Melbourne. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“Yeah, having a concussion earlier in the year and then rupturing my testicle has been an interesting one, but I’m just happy to be back playing with the boys,” he said.

“Mentally it was pretty tough early on, just because of the unknown – it had never happened before, you don’t really see it in the AFL, but I think I’ve been ready for the last two or three weeks.

“The specialist cleared me last week, but I didn’t hit the loads (required at training to play), and then before that, I just couldn’t do contact.

“It was a long time coming, but it’s good to be back. Nothing will stop the way I play. I like playing tough, and I won’t stop that.”

Taylor said the Giants’ season had been looking “shaky” prior to their winning run, but was pleased with the timing of their return to form.

He said there was “definitely” a special emphasis placed on his side’s performances at the MCG – Saturday night’s clash is only the Giants’ second at the venue since last year’s preliminary final.

Taylor says teammate Tom Green has learnt his lesson after the star midfielder was reprimanded by the AFL for comments on his podcast. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“We’re in a great position now to push for finals, and hopefully top four,” he said.

“It’s really important playing at the ‘G, obviously you play finals here. We don’t play here often, but when we get the chance to, it’s always a great feeling … hopefully we make the most of it.”

Taylor said teammate Tom Green accepted he had “stepped over the line” with his comments on a deleted episode of the Giants’ “In the Green Room” podcast which led to a formal reprimand from the AFL.

Green called the MRO and tribunal “a disgrace” and said the disciplinary system was “ruining the game” after Giants forward Toby Bedford was initially suspended for three weeks for a tackle which concussed Richmond star Tim Taranto.

“We want players being honest and authentic. I think (Green) stepped over the line just slightly, and he knows what he did wrong and will be better in the future,” Taylor said.

“But yeah, it’s good for his podcast though, so tune in.”