TAYLOR AS TOUGH AS THEY COME
JORDAN Taylor knew he was in trouble when he set himself under a high ball in Southport’s opening NEAFL game of the season.
But like so many times before, the Sharks defender did it without hesitation.
A second later he was watching his own blood drip on to the grass at Fankhauser Reserve in what was the third quarter of the club’s Round 1 NEAFL win over Redland.
His ability to put his body on the line for the team is the reason coach Stephen Daniel has labelled him one of the toughest players he has ever coached.
The 24-year-old grew up in the small southern NSW town of Finley and was playing seniors at 16.
The Sharks leader believes it was those origins that have transformed him into the no-nonsense defensive pillar who helped lead Southport to the 2018 premiership.
“Growing up playing country footy you do what you can,” Taylor said.
“You go and play seniors at 16 so you’re playing against mature bodies at a young age.
“I was scared at first playing against men but you get used to it and represent your town and community.
“That is how I feel. I feel an obligation to have a crack.”
On Saturday, Taylor was forced to go back with the flight where a collision with teammate Tom Miller was waiting.
“I knew there would be traffic coming but you just have to go so I just went up and felt the traffic collect me on the way through,” he said.
“Then I was looking down saw blood running down the side of my face dripping on to the grass.”
Ten stitches and a helmet later, Taylor was back on the field but only momentarily before another teammate, Ryan Davis, bumped him during another contest and opened up the wound, ending his game for good.
Taylor is hopeful of facing Aspley in Round 2 on Saturday at Voxson Oval.