With the 2014 season now complete, hawthornfc.com.au will review the season of those who played a senior game for the Hawks in 2014 with the help of GM - Football Operations, Chris Fagan.
After a breakout season in 2013, Taylor Duryea took the next step in his football career this year.
With the retirement of veteran defender Brent Guerra at the end of last season, a spot opened up for the young Hawk who took the opportunity with both hands.
Duryea played 23 of a possible 25 matches in 2014, including the finals series in which he produced his best football and deservingly earned himself a premiership medal.
His form throughout September was testament to Hawthorn’s recruiting and development teams, and to Duryea himself for being patient and waiting for his chance.
The 23 year old slotted seamlessly into the premiership team from the outset, putting behind him the disappointment of missing out on last year’s finals series despite playing 18 games in his debut season.
He played 16 consecutive games between rounds 1 and 17, with his ability to lockdown on some of the game’s most dangerous small forwards impressing the Hawks coaching staff.
But, one of Duryea’s biggest strengths is his rebound and penetrating and accurate kicking, which improved dramatically this year.
He added to Hawthorn’s already powerful half backline of Matthew Suckling, Grant Birchall, Shaun Burgoyne and even Josh Gibson and Ben Stratton by averaging 15.1 disposals per game and even added six goals.
Having missed just two games – in Round 18 and 22 – the continuity in his football allowed him to grow in confidence playing at senior level, something that became evident in the finals.
Two of his best performances of the year were on the big stage, with his effort against Geelong in the Qualifying Final making him a lock for the Preliminary Final.
Against the Cats, Duryea backed in his judgment to assist teammates as third-man up, he hunted his opponents and hit in hard, used the ball well and set up scoring chances on a number of occasions with his dare and dash through the midfield.
While the stats sheet read just 12 disposals and five marks, he made almost every touch count by using the footy at 83.3 per cent efficiency.
Duryea also played himself into the 2014 premiership team with an impressive effort against the Power, where he again used the ball well at 84.6 per cent from 13 disposals.
It was his five one percenters in that game though, that would have pleased the coaches.
Although he was the substitute in the Grand Final, Duryea, like he was all year was just grateful to be in the team and to be fulfilling a role well for his teammates and his coaches.
He attacked the last quarter when he was subbed in for Cyril Rioli with vigor, which was synonymous actually of the way he’d gone about his football all year.
Duryea picked up nine disposals in the last quarter of the Grand Final and while the game was well and truly won, his effort and high level of performance was undoubted.
Other highlights of his year include 19 disposals in an impressive effort against the Lions in Round 1, 20 and 10 marks against Fremantle in Round 3, 20 and six marks against Sydney in Round 8 and 17 and seven marks against Fremantle in Round 21.
What GM – Football Operations Chris Fagan said: “It was a fantastic year by Taylor. He managed to play almost every AFL game and took his game to another level - he was able to shut down some really good opponents and his ball use improved.
“We were really pleased he was able to get a premiership medallion after just missing out last year on the eve of the Grand Final. What a contribution he made when he came on, he took the game by the scruff of the neck.”
Taylor Duryea in the news in 2014
- Duryea playing on instinct
- Duryea eyes more success after first flag
Videos featuring Taylor Duryea in 2014
- Duryea speaks after the premiership
- Doc’s Barbershop episode 1
- Doc’s Barbershop episode 2
- #everymoment: Duryea
An emotional Taylor Duryea shares a moment with coach, Alastair Clarkson after the premiership win.
