Hero of the goal square.
Colourful commentator.
Coleman Medallist.
A member of two of the biggest clubs in the land.
There’s not much Brian Taylor hasn’t been a part of during his football journey.
Now, on the eve of a huge Preliminary Final between Collingwood and Richmond – his two former clubs – it’s time to listen to the story of ‘BT’s life in football on Collingwood Conversations.
From his early days in Western Australia to kicking 100 goals for Collingwood in 1986, Taylor speaks candidly about the people and moments that made him into the footballer and person he is today.
Key talking points include:
- Taylor’s earliest football memories (1:30)
- A budding basketball career (4:55)
- Life in junior football (5:50)
- Forty-three games in Yellow and Black (7:25)
- A move to Victoria Park (11:30)
- The influence of coach Bob Rose (12:35)
- Season 1986 and kicking a century (15:33)
- Playing under coach Leigh Matthews (26:08)
- Missing the 1990 premiership (30:15)
- A career in commentating (30:45)
- What Collingwood means to BT (43:26)
Brian Taylor poses proudly with his 1986 Coleman Medal.
Former Magpie spearhead Brian Taylor says his famously aggressive approach to the game was part of a deliberate determination not to be a 'nice guy' full forward.
In the latest episode of the podcast series Collingwood Conversations, 'BT' says he was determined not to cowed by the physical approach of often rugged full backs.
"Full forwards were nice guys," he says. "Peter McKenna was a hero of mine. Lovely guy, really nice nature. (Michael) Moncrieff: lovely guy, really nice nature. Michael Roach – wonderful guy. And I just used to watch the footy and I'd see these guys getting pushed around and I thought, 'stand up to that guy' – 'why don't you give him one'? Why don't you give back what you're receiving from these aggressive bully full backs?
"It was always the full-back that was aggressive and nasty and always the full-forward who was as nice as pie. And I wanted to change that. I wanted to become like the full backs. I wanted to play a little more aggressively and not have these guys push you around like they had done for decades."
Taylor said the aggressive approach helped him to play better, and had the dual benefit of firing up the crowds too.
"I think the perception was that I was out of control. But to me I was always in control. I always felt that that aggression was helping me to motivate myself.
"(At Victoria Park) you felt like the supporters were standing there with you. It was incredible – at both ends of the ground. I don't think people understand what it's like to be standing there, on the ground, 10 metres from the supporters who were just absolutely crazy. The verbals coming over fence directed at my opposition full-back….I didn't have to say a word. They did it all for me."
Taylor also says he now regrets publishing his controversial 'insiders' book in 1990, believing it may well have cost him a spot in the Grand Final side. The book, which came out after the season, caused some consternation among teammates and coaches when its proposed publication became known late in the season.
"That book in the end probably cost me a position in 1990. There is no doubt in my mind that upon them finding out about the book that was happening, they called me into the office, asked me about that, asked me to show them a copy … and they were pretty unhappy about that. And when I reflect on that …I look at it and go it was the wrong thing to do. There's no doubt about that."
BT also reflects on the reasons he left Richmond, his relationship with coach Leigh Matthews, his feelings about being the last Magpie to kick 100 goals in a season, his life as one of the best known radio and TV commentators in the game – and why he hated playing on Gary Pert.
