So did you hear that Matthew Suckling has left Hawthorn? No matter, they already have a perfect replacement in Taylor Duryea.
Name: Taylor Duryea
Club: Hawthorn Hawks
Age: 24yrs 9 mths
Price: $403,800k
Position: Defender
2015 Average: 74.8
2015 Games: 18
90+ scores: 8
Hawthorn didn’t really play a part in the trade period, which only means they are happy with what is coming through their ranks at the moment!
PROS
Taylor has served his apprenticeship over the last three years, often being named substitute. Of course, this affected his scores but the good news is my friends, that the sub rule has been abolished. Celebrate!
His last three years:
2013 – 56.3 avg from 18 games
2014 – 62.4 avg from 20 games
2015 – 74.8 avg from 18 games
As you can see, he’s had a steady rise in average every single year. With the departure of Suckling, I can only see a further rise in Duryea’s average, especially with the guarantee of longer games. I reckon he could easily average 90.
His finals series last year was outstanding as well. Chris Fagan (Hawthorn’s Football Operations Manager) openly said that he was probably second behind only Sam Mitchell for Hawthorn in the final series.
His scores from the 2015 finals series read:
Semi Final v Adelaide: 22 touches, 89 points
Preliminary Final v Fremantle: 26 touches, 113 points
Grand Final v West Coast: 26 touches, 97 points
A great view of things to come hopefully for us!
CONS
At the awkward price of $400k obviously he’s a massive risk. It’s a classic case of boom or bust, and let’s be completely honest: he has cemented his spot in the side or is he still just two bad games from being dropped?
SUMMARY
Taylor is hard as nails and showed that he has the patience and desire to keep improving his game. However, what will his role look like this season?
I will certainly be watching him in the NAB Cup as he is a prime break-out contender!
Verdict: Would look good in the third or fourth spot in your back line.
