Advice has Lion on rise
IT says a lot about Chris Fagan’s one-on-one approach with his players that among his most improved pupils is a former Rising Star winner.
Former Geelong Falcon Lewy Taylor plays his 100th game, against Carlton, today, a milestone it appeared only injury could deny him when he burst on the scene, winning the 2014 Rising Star award.
However, this time two years ago, he was out of contract and unable to come to terms with the Lions as his form floundered.
His future was uncertain as he wore criticism for his lack of defensive pressure, and he bewildered coaching staff when he had the ball in hand.
When Fagan arrived at the end of 2016 he sat down with every Lions player individually, and that first meeting with Taylor changed everything for the livewire small forward.
Before Fagan arrived, Brisbane had a set plan for ball movement that confused the players and was easily defended by the opposition.
Now they defend to a plan and attack on instinct, and Taylor is flourishing.
“I had a really good preseason and spoke with ‘Fages’ about where I could improve,” he said.
“It just got back to what I could do best and that was to play some footy.
“If you see an option, hit it, there’s no set structure with offence, just play footy and hit what you can and take the easy option.”
Taylor turned things around almost immediately, finishing seventh in the club’s best and fairest last year after a 17-goal season where he averaged close to 20 disposals.
He has continued the solid form to be again among the Lions’ most consistent.