Lewis Taylor Biography

Sydney delists Lewis Taylor and Barry O'Connor.

"Lewis and Barry have been excellent contributors to our club and have shared some unique and memorable experiences with our group over the past three seasons," Sydney's football boss Charlie Gardiner said.

"It's a difficult time of year when list changes must be made, and we wish Lewis and Barry all the best in their next pursuits."

Sydney select Lewis Taylor with pick No.12 in the 2021 Rookie Draft.

Having driven back from New South Wales to be with his family in Mortlake in western Victoria, Lewis Taylor juggled roles while being away from the Swans following the shutdown of the 2020 AFL season.

"I was helping my little brother Lachie out most days with his school work, so I was full-time footballer and part-time teacher there at one stage," Taylor said.

"It wasn't too bad but I tell you what, I wouldn't like to be doing year seven again with some of the stuff in there but it was allright, we got by pretty well."

Brisbane trades Lewis Taylor to Sydney in exchange for pick 48.

"We’re excited to have secured Lewis from Brisbane as we think he has the potential to be a really important player for us for years to come," Sydney head of football Charlie Gardiner said.

"Lewis really burst onto the scene from a young age and showed he has great speed and elite skills that will really complement our side."

Taylor managed just five matches for the Lions in 2019 and was forced to bide his time in the NEAFL, averaging 27.8 disposals and 1.3 goals in his 12 matches at the level.

Lewy Taylor says Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has given him a freedom to play with that has unlocked his best football.

Taylor will play his 100th game on Saturday against Carlton and says Fagan has had a huge influence on him since coming to the Lions at the end of 2016.

"It was great that he sat down one-on-one with every player," Taylor said.

"If you see an option, hit it, there's no set structure with offence, just play footy and hit what you can and take the easy option.

"I felt like that was very helpful to me to just go out there and play."

After two seasons playing below his best, Lewis Taylor has re-found the form that made him the Rising Star winner in 2014.

"I want to try and hurt the opposition as much as I can when I have the ball," Taylor said.

"I'm into my fourth year now and the older you get, the more you see in the game … the easier it's going to get.

"The game is slowing down, which is good."

After months of speculation, Lewis Taylor re-signs with the Brisbane Lions for another three seasons and will stay at the club until the end of 2019.

After initially asking up to $500,000 for his services, the small forward has settled for significantly less, but will remain at the Gabba while the struggling club continues to rebuild.

"It's fantastic to re-sign Lewy," Lions' national talent manager Peter Schwab said.

"Lewy has now put the talk around his contract to bed and is focused on playing footy.

"He’s a popular member of the playing group both on and off the field and we are really happy that he is part of our future."

Lewis Taylor has been placed on a diversion program by a Victorian court over his involvement in causing more than $10,000 criminal damage.

Taylor, 20, and his childhood friend Geordie Scott Erwin, 20, appeared in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Thursday to plead guilty to charges of criminal damage and theft.

The pair will avoid a criminal conviction if they're of good behavior for 12 months, both donate $500 to the State Emergency Service and each pay $5317.87 in compensation.

Lewis Taylor has been charged over an alleged vandalism spree that occurred just weeks after his NAB AFL Rising Star win in 2014.

Police allege the 20-year-old was involved in damaging eight vehicles at Mortlake, in Victoria's west, 13 months ago causing more than $10,000 in criminal damage.

After having a full pre-season, Lewis Taylor believes his improved fitness this year will allow him to improve on his brilliant debut season last year.

"Last year I felt like I wasn't running out games too well," Taylor said.

"I'd get through, but this year I feel a lot better and running training out a lot better. Hopefully I can take that into games.

"It's just more efforts. Every opponent you get is going to be as fit as you, but it definitely helps you to run your opponent around more and work them into the ground."

As he continues his recovery from knee tendonitis, Lewis Taylor has been on modified duties since the Lions returned from their end of season break.

"I've had a delayed start. I'm having a bit of tendon trouble at the moment, but it's on the mend," Taylor said.

"I've started running, so am not far away (from joining the main group).

"I've been doing a bit of swimming here and there. I'm not the greatest swimmer, but it's good to keep the fitness up."

Lewis Taylor is crowned the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star in the closest ever count.

The 19-year-old Brisbane Lion polled 39 votes on Wednesday, one more than the Western Bulldogs' Marcus Bontempelli, to win the Ron Evans medal.

North Melbourne's Luke McDonald was third, with 32.

Taylor, who is estranged from his mother and was raised with his brother Toby by their father Simon thanked his father for the crucial role he played in winning the award.

"Dad's been great for me, getting me to games, where I need to be, training, representative stuff," Taylor said.

"We've had some good times along the way so I'm very thankful.

"He's worked hard to get me and my brother back and settle us down and get us on the right path, which he's done."

Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch says Lewis Taylor is well-deserving of the rising star award but may miss out due to a lack of a Queensland influence on the Rising Star selection panel.

"I don't think Lewy's had a bad game all year," Leppitsch said.

"It depends if the selectors actually turn on the box when the Brisbane games are on or they don't really, that's what is going to decide it.

"A lot of those selection committees, there isn't a Queensland voice on them, whether it's us or the Suns. You're relying on a bit of something else."

First year player Lewy Taylor has developed a cult following in his first year at the Lions.

Lewy has played all 18 games this season, is part of the 'Mozzie Squad' alongside Dayne Zorko and Josh Green, has won a Rising Star nomination and last week signed a contract extension until the end of 2016.

"There's a good group here at the Lions. It's young, but we're getting better and better each week. Hopefully in years to come we can be a strong team," Taylor said.

"It's not going to happen straight away, that's for sure. A couple more pre-seasons and a lot of hard work and we're definitely on the right track. We know we can get there."

Lewis Taylor re-signs with the Lions and will remain at the club until the end of 2016.

Lewis Taylor makes his AFL debut for Brisbane with 3 disposals (2 kicks and a handball) in a 48-point loss to Hawthorn.

The Lions select key defender Darcy Gardiner (No.22) and lightning quick midfielder Lewis Taylor (No.28), both from the Geelong Falcons, in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft.

"We really wanted a tall defender. We thought Darcy Gardiner was the best tall defender in this pool," Lions' recruiting manager Stephen Conole said.

"Lewis Taylor adds some dash and some panache to our group, so when he was still available we were rapt and more than happy to add Lewis to our list."