Sydney Swans sack Elijah Taylor after he pleaded guilty to assaulting ex-girlfriend

The short but chequered AFL career of Sydney youngster Elijah Taylor is over after he was sacked by the club this week.

The Swans have sacked Elijah Taylor after one season with the club.

Sydney has cut ties with troubled player Elijah Taylor, who in late September pleaded guilty to assaulting his former partner in a Perth hotel.

Taylor is due in court on December 2 to face sentencing for the charge of aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm.

The Swans said on Monday that after standing Taylor down in mid-September as the club reviewed his future, the decision had been made to “part ways” with the No 36 selection in the 2019 national draft.

The exciting young talent had already found himself in hot water over a COVID breach in a Perth hotel that saw him suspended for the rest of the season before being involved in a pair of further incidents.

His girlfriend had already accused him on social media of an assault in Sydney before he was charged for a later incident at a Perth hotel.

He pleaded guilty to one charge of unlawfully assaulting his ex-partner Lekahni Pearce on September 13 at a hotel in Perth’s CBD, with Taylor due to be sentenced on Wednesday.

The Swans’ football boss Charlie Gardiner said the decision to part ways with Taylor was made after talks with the AFL, player union and his management.

Elijah Taylor pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend

Taylor’s ex-girlfriend Lekahni Pearce.

“The situation Elijah and the club has found itself in is deeply regrettable. Elijah has made some very poor decisions which have led us to this point, and he acknowledges that,” Gardiner said.

“This is certainly not a position we have arrived at lightly, however Elijah’s actions could not be reconciled.

“It is obviously a sensitive situation and a legal process is still to play out, but in working with Elijah and his management, our collective view was that the right call for both Elijah and the club is to part ways. We have also consulted with the AFLPA and appreciate the support James Gallagher and his team has provided during the process.

“This has been an incredibly difficult situation for Elijah, his family, and those involved. We are keen to see Elijah receive ongoing education and support in the hope that he can mature and learn from this experience, make better decisions in the future, and take steps towards rebuilding his career.”

Herald Sun