How AFL’s No.1 defender Sam Taylor became the leader of the Giants’ pack

He might get embarrassed when you bring it up, but the Giants’ Sam Taylor is the number one defender in the AFL. At just 24, he’s helping lead the side into an exciting new era.

Sam Taylor continues to show how important he is for the Giants’ cause. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Sam Taylor sits on a wooden bench at the Giants’ training centre as his teammates walk by in groups. One by one, they fire off comments in the defender’s direction.

“Number one, number one,” quipped a pair. “Best defender in the comp,” said another.

It’s all designed to stir up the unassuming 24-year-old, embarrassed by the praise coming his way.

“They know I’m pretty competitive and I bite a few times so they always have a few little jabs or potshots at me, but that’s all part of it,” Taylor said.

Taylor flies high against Hawthorn. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Yet the numbers back up their gibes: Taylor is one of, if not, the best defender in the AFL.

Taylor leads the competition in defensive 1-on-1 contests won (66 per cent) this season. He also has the best figure for 1-on-1 contests lost (eight per cent).

Throw in an AFL-leading 10.6 intercept possessions a game and it’s easy to see why Taylor’s teammates are so eager for him to get the recognition he deserves.

“It’s tough talking about yourself,” Taylor said.

“I don’t know how to say it, but I sort of expect to win those match-ups. That’s the standard I expect for myself in those 1-on-1s and interceptions.

“But these days you work more as a back seven … you need your teammates to win games.”

And work as a pack they have.

Since round 13, the Giants are the best defensive unit in the competition.

They have conceded just 57 points per game and allowed opposition scores from just 33 per cent of inside-50s – leading the AFL in both categories.

They’re also in the top three for midfield intercepts (49.8) and average pressure rating (189).

“We don’t speak about that too much,” Taylor said.

“We all know what we’re capable of and we just love playing with each other.

“Those two hours [in a game], it’s a lot of fun. That’s also our little switch to get back in the game when we’re a bit flat, to have a laugh, make a few jokes.

“It’s a young core [of players] too. We are building something special here and the players we’ve got in the backline are great.

“Every game we have so much confidence that we can get it done.”

Taylor (R) can sense the confidence building at the Giants. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It’s clear however that Taylor’s exploits have provided plenty of inspiration for those around him.

“He’s stupid good,” said Lachie Ash.

“He’s got that nature that he just hates losing. Anything he does, he just has to win.

“You walk a lot taller when you know that Sam is out there alongside you. He is the leader of that backline.”

Taylor’s competitiveness has followed him throughout his career, and he’s always had the ability to back it up against any forward in the competition.

He’s been an important part of the Giants’ side since being drafted but had the best year of his career in 2022 when he won the Kevin Sheedy Medal and was named in the All-Australian squad.

That’s why it was hard to be on the sidelines earlier this year with a hamstring injury. He wanted to build on his form and was left helpless – much to the annoyance of his teammates.

Taylor was frustrated by his lengthy stretch on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I copped a lot of feedback about being a bad watcher,” Taylor said. “Just yelling and calling out plays and being aggressive … we always get into too many close games, it’s not good for you.

“Seven weeks on the sidelines was disappointing because you’re only as good as when you’re on the field.”

But it’s no surprise his return has helped spark the Giants’ incredible run.

Taylor will look to help lead the side to their sixth-straight win when they take on the Suns.

And for all the numbers that show his dominance, he’d give it all up if it meant helping the team succeed.

“Even in 2021, I didn’t get the accolades but we made finals. I swear that felt a lot better than having the individual accolades and finishing bottom four,” he said.

“I play footy to play finals, there’s nothing better. That’s what I really want this year, and I have total faith that we can do it.

“We still haven’t reached our peak yet. We’re winning games but not in the Giants’ way … we should be a lot more threatening.

“But even if we don’t make finals this year, we’ll have so much confidence going into next year that we can cause a lot of damage.”

Originally published as How AFL’s No.1 defender Sam Taylor became the leader of the Giants’ pack