What sort of a player is he?
Adams is said to be the sort of player that loves winning the contested ball. Standing at 180cm, he thrives on the rough and tumble of life underneath the packs where he averaged 8.1 contested possessions per game during his 16 games this year. He ranked second at his club for clearances (averaging 4.0 per game) and laid an average 3.2 tackles per game. Champion Data’s Fantasy Freako, who features in the yearly AFL Prospectus, reported earlier this year that Adams “might turn out to be a clearance machine”. Prospectus also noted that Adams averaged the second-most clearances of any debutant league-wide in 2012.
What was his junior record like?
Very impressive. Hailing from the Geelong Falcons via St Josephs, Adams represented Vic Country in the 2011 National Under 18 Championships where he averaged 18.8 possessions across four games. It was enough to see him earn selection in the Under 18 All-Australian team and he followed up with an impressive performance at the Draft Combine later in the year when he recorded 15.1 in the beep test, placing him in the Combine’s top 10.
Was he originally a high draft pick?
He sure was. Adams landed in Greater Western Sydney’s lap at pick No. 13 in the 2011 National Draft. The Age’s draft expert Emma Quayle had him going to the land of the Giants with pick No. 14 while AFL.com.au’s Jason Phelan thought he’d fall to pick No. 16 and head to Fremantle. The Herald Sun’s Superfooty website correctly predicted Adams to be drafted with pick No. 13 as did BigFooty.com in its official phantom draft.
Can you present us with vital statistics?
Disposals: 341 (21.3) Marks: 69 (4.3) Tackles: 52 (3.3) Inside 50s: 52 (3.3) Rebound 50s: 28 (1.8) Contested Possessions: 130 (8.1) Clearances: 64 (4.0) Score Assists: 13 (0.8)
2013 averages in brackets.
What have they said about him so far?
“If they (Greater Western Sydney) miss out on Toby Greene, Adams comes in as the second inside onballer. A great kid who'll slot in easily. Adams scored a late invite to the draft, which suggests he's a safe bet. Richmond and Fremantle also keen,” – Emma Quayle, The Age, 24 November 2011.
“Giants love the hardened midfielder's leadership. Big contested ball-winner will push forward,” – superfooty.com.au, 24 November 2011.
“Adams is a tough, skilful inside midfielder who will be an excellent foil (should he be drafted to Fremantle) for the likes of Stephen Hill, Nat Fyfe and Anthony Morabito for years to come. He averaged 28 possessions a game for the Falcons this year and works tirelessly to bring his teammates into the play. He has strong leadership credentials and isn't one to drop his head, with his strong voice a constant at Visy Park late in the season during a particularly heavy loss to Oakleigh. He ran a 15.1 beep test and has the capacity to quickly become an important part of Ross Lyon's new regime,” – AFL.com.au’s Jason Phelan, 23 November 2011.
“Just a lovely player is Taylor Adams and apparently has many admirers in club land. AIS kid and he is a class act because he ticks nearly every box there is. Seen him so many times in traffic and yet he always seems to evade capture and execute to advantage. His hands in close are an absolute treat and he just strikes me as a kid who will get better and better in a club development programme. Can also play out of the contest and uses the ball at an elite level by foot as well. Is a natural leader from what have been told and is a kid you would want in your football environment for sure. AFL Comparison – Trent Cotchin or Jim Bartel,” – Snoop Dogg, one of BigFooty.com’s resident draft gurus, 27 October 2011.
“The bullocking ball-winner, who kicked some clutch goals playing forward, also dispelled any fears about his endurance, running a 15.1 beep test at the draft camp - ranking him equal 10th. It was reward for hard work as rarely were there days when Adams was not doing extra sessions or recovery,” – Jay Clark, Herald Sun, 19 November 2011.
“Youth talent guru Michael Turner has cause to keep a close eye on the Giants as two of his Geelong Falcons from last year, Devon Smith and Taylor Adams, landed there in last year's draft. The first 10 rounds have strengthened Turner's belief that the selections of the "running battering rams" at No. 13 (Adams) and Smith (No. 14) were a bargain,” – Jesse Hogan, The Age, 7 June 2012.
Pies get the better deal I think,Shaw has been great but to get Adams who they will have for 10 yrs to hopefully be the next Luke Ball.
— Lindsay Gilbee (@LindsayGilbee) October 15, 2013
Heath Shaw for Taylor Adams a staggeringly good play by the Pies. Get a ready-made third year player. Hand off a veteran.
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) October 14, 2013
Taylor Adams is a beauty. Adds so much toughness and leadership through midfield. A real general. Selfless player. Great pickup.
— Jay Clark (@ClarkyHeraldSun) September 19, 2013
From R6-23, Taylor Adams avgd 22 disp, 9 cont poss & 4 clearances - elite numbers for a 19yo. In high demand for a reason. Ready-made mid.
— Fox Footy Analyst (@FoxFootyAnalyst) September 19, 2013
What does the man himself say about his footy?*
Which AFL footballer do you model your game on?
Joel Selwood. He's an extremely hard worker and he goes about the footy in the right way. He’s tough and professional.
What are your strengths as a footballer?
I’m a competitive player with clean hands. I have the ability to win contested ball.
What parts of your game do you want to improve on?
My speed and outside game needs improvement, as well as my ability to get uncontested possessions.
Why do you want to be a professional footballer?
I’m a competitive person and want to compete against the best. It’s always been a goal of mine to play AFL footy.
*Interview sourced from afl.com.au in November 2011.
You might also find these facts interesting…
Adams has never played in front of a crowd of more than 32,691. No prizes for guessing who that was against! It was indeed a Collingwood game at the MCG in round 18 this season.
Adams has played in all three of the Giants wins over the last two years. He has played in 28 losses – the same as Steele Sidebottom, who has played in a total of 108 games since 2009.
He has played at 10 venues in his 31 games. In comparison, Dane Swan has played at eight venues in 219 games.
The 20-year-old is a product of the Geelong-based St Joseph’s Football Club. It’s the same club at which Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell learnt his football.
Adams has played 31 games in two seasons. It took Dane Swan until the first round of his fifth season to reach the same mark.
Can I follow him on Twitter?
Head to @tayadams30 and enjoy the ride! Let’s bump his follower count up a little and wish him all the best with a #sidebyside tweet.
Welcome to Collingwood, Taylor!
