Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
WATCH: Field of Dreams finalistsThe top 10 prospect eyeing off a future in Yellow and Black
SEN • November 16th, 2025 5:00 pm
Xavier Taylor is just days away from kickstarting his AFL journey, with dreams of suiting up for his childhood club shaping as a real possibility.
The Eastern Ranges talent played out a stellar National Championships season, averaging over 18 disposals and six marks as an elite lockdown and intercept defender.
Having flown under the radar prior to his 2025 campaign, Taylor flew up the draft boards over the course of the season.
And after a best on ground performance in the Eastern Ranges Grand Final win over Sandringham, Taylor landed himself an invite to the first round of draft night as a lock for a top 10 selection.
“The closer it gets, the more nervous you get, but still very excited,” Taylor told SEN Sportsday.
“It’s pretty full on. A lot of emotions, but mostly excited. I’m trying to surround myself with family and friends to make it go a little bit quicker but trying to enjoy it as well.
“It’s a pretty cool journey that not everyone can do, so just trying to enjoy it as much as possible.”
Standing at 191cm, Taylor has developed into an incredibly consistent and reliable defensive prospect, able to lock down on defenders of multiple sizes while also capable of playing loose and intercepting.
A competitive beast and a high-level athlete, Taylor’s profile was enough to earn calls from every team across the AFL.
“Throughout the combine period and all the home interviews, all 18 clubs. A few zoom calls in there with some of the interstate clubs, but all 18,” he said.
“It’s always a bit nerve-wrecking because it’s your dream and you want to make a good impression. Just being yourself, not trying too hard and showing them who you are is important as well.”
With West Coast unlikely to select Taylor with Pick 1 or 2, it's expected that the 18-year-old will remain in Victoria, with Richmond, Essendon and Melbourne holding all six picks surrounding his predicted range.
And in Taylor’s favour, his childhood club happens to reside amongst those three clubs.
“I’m a massive Richmond fan,” he revealed.
“100 per cent (I let them know)!”
As a Tigers fan, Taylor has looked to model his game around a club great in Nick Vlastuin.
“Big Richmond fan, I love how Vlastuin plays. That hard medium-sized defender. Good one-on-one interceptor.”
Draft night is fast approaching, with the first round set for Wednesday the 19th of November.
