#2: Taylor Duryea
The stats
Draft: Pick #69, 2009
Position: Defender
AFL games: 86* (2013 – present)
Goals: 14
Premierships: 2 (2014,2015)
Review
Taken with pick 69 in 2009, current defender Taylor Duryea is seated at #2 in our draft bargains.
Prior to his debut in 2013, Duryea was quick to impress coaching staff following his arrival and was awarded the club’s Best First Year player in 2012.
With veteran defenders including Brent Guerra calling quits, Duryea emerged as a key player to fill the void of Hawthorn’s longstanding backline in 2014.
Securing 23 games that season, Duryea was selected as the sub of the 2014 Premiership side.
Fast forward one season and Duryea was a definite inclusion amongst the 2015 premiership squad, leading rebound 50s at 73 for the year.
No stranger to exceeding expectations, Taylor has cemented himself as a permanent player in Hawthorn’s half back and will continue to be nothing short of reliable in 2017.
Top 10 Countdown:
#10: Simon Taylor
#9: Kris Barlow
#8: Shane Savage
#7: Jade Rawlings
#6: Rayden Tallis
#5: Nathan Thompson
#4: Ben Dixon
#3: Richie Vandenberg
