Hampden: Lewis Taylor returns to Terang-Mortlake after 124 match AFL career

Terang-Mortlake is on the rise in the Hampden league with some impressive signings for 2023. Find out who it has recruited.

Terang-Mortlake has kept the momentum rolling after a strong finish to the Hampden league season by signing former junior and Sydney and Brisbane small forward Lewis Taylor.

The 2014 AFL Rising Star winner with Brisbane was delisted by his second club, Sydney, at the end of last season with a total of 124 senior matches and 94 goals.

He is aiming to play 10 to 12 games for Terang-Mortlake next year as he commences a building apprenticeship in Katherine where he also hopes to play some matches alongside his brother Toby.

Lewis Taylor finished his AFL career with the Sydney Swans. Picture: AAP Image/Mark Evans

After a poor start, Terang-Mortlake finished among a group of three teams on six wins at the end of the season.

The recent signings of Taylor, another former junior Scott Carlin and minimal losses is giving hope of a charge at finals next season.

“It was definitely always on the cards in terms of getting back and playing at Terang-Mortlake at some stage,” Taylor said.

“They finished the season really strong and challenged some really good sides.

“They didn’t play finals, but finishing the season the way they did can be some confidence you can take into next year.”

Carlin’s return from Ballarat league club Lake Wendouree and Geelong’s VFL side was confirmed at the weekend.

Carlin played the majority of the season for Lake Wendouree, but managed six games at VFL level.

Terang-Mortlake has re-signed Ben Kenna as coach for 2023.

“We were a bit behind the top sides, but in the second half of the season we made some improvements and won five of our last nine games,” he said.

BAIRNSDALE

Bairnsdale has made another successful recruiting raid on the Victorian Amateur Football Association ranks with Lachlan Byrne-Jones signing on for next year.

Byrne-Jones played alongside another Bairnsdale recruit Will Mitchell at Old Scotch before the latter played mostly at VFL level with Northern Bullants the last two years.

Lachlan Byrne-Jones in action in the VAFA. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Byrne-Jones is a speedy wingman who was a VAFA Rising Star nomination in 2016.

His brother Darcy plays for Port Adelaide.

“He is a quick outside midfielder who kicks the ball very well,” Bairnsdale coach Logan Austin said.

“He will help us improve our efficiency going inside 50 metres when the ball is in his hands.

“He also has the ability to go forward and hit the scoreboard.”

Bairnsdale recently recruited Xavier Richards from Old Xaverians where the 194cm utility booted more than 40 goals in 14 games last season.

Bairnsdale finished ninth on the ladder with only two wins this year.

Its biggest departure to date is key position player, Simon Deery, who will play under former Gippsland Power teammate and Western Bulldogs premiership player Clay Smith at Point Cook.

LAVINGTON

Lavington has welcomed back 2019 premiership wingman Liam Ross as the club eyes a top five spot in Adam Schneider’s second season as coach next year.

Ross left Lavington where his father Anthony is also a premiership player during the Covid wiped out season of 2020 and has been playing for UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs in Sydney.

He also played one game for Greater Western Sydney’s reserves team in the VFL.

Ross played on the wing in Lavington’s premiership win over Wangaratta in 2019.

Schneider took on the coaching job at Lavington after a decorated AFL career with Sydney and St Kilda.

Lavington missed the Ovens and Murray league finals on percentage last season.