Tim Taranto Biography

Tim Taranto's outstanding debut season with the Tigers is capped off with the Jack Dyer Medal as the club's 2023 best and fairest.

Tim Taranto is officially on the move from Greater Western Sydney to Richmond after both clubs agreed to a deal with the Tigers giving up picks 12 and 19.

"We worked with Richmond to secure a suitable trade for our club, and we're excited to take an extremely strong hand into this year's draft to continue to build a successful list and add to our group with some of the country's top talent," Giants football manager Jason McCartney said.

"I would like to thank Tim for his contribution to the Giants over the past six years. He's been a committed and consistent player for our club but received a lucrative offer elsewhere that he simply couldn’t refuse."

Tim Taranto doesn't expect to put pen to paper on a contract extension in the early stages of the 2022 season, but says he is adamant he wants to remain a one-club player with the Giants.

"Right now, I'm happy, the club's happy with where it's at. I'm just not going to think about it until the first five or six rounds and see what happens after that," he said.

"I love this club so much; I love everyone here and I love Sydney; I prefer it to Melbourne. Hopefully, it works out that I can be a one-club player and stay up in Sydney for the rest of my life."

Tim Taranto dislocates his shoulder in an innocuous contest early in the first term of the Giants' Marsh Community series win over Sydney.

"It slipped out and went back in, which is a good thing I think, so we'll wait and see. He's obviously a bit flat about it but we'll look after him over the next few days," GWS assistant coach Amon Buchanan said.

Tim Taranto caps a breakthrough 2019 season by winning the Kevin Sheedy Medal as the Giants' best and fairest.

In just his third season in the AFL, Taranto (222 votes) pipped Coleman medallist Jeremy Cameron (220), with fellow young midfielder Jacob Hopper (218) third.

"His commitment and dedication on the training track and desire to improve himself is almost second to none and he’s been an important part of our football club since he walked in the doors three years ago," GWS coach Leon Cameron said about Taranto.

"To see a player in just his third year take his game to such a level is exciting to watch as a coach and we’re looking forward to his continued development over the coming years."

Tim Taranto signs a new two-year deal with GWS to remain at the club until the end of 2022.

Taranto is part of the GWS emerging leaders' program and said the absence of his star teammates through injury in 2019 has helped fast-track his development.

"We're learning some leadership skills and having some input into how the group goes about things week to week, and I enjoy doing that," Taranto said about the program.

"I've really enjoyed the opportunity and I look it as a real positive to get the most out of ourselves as leaders out on the field."

GWS co-captain Callan Ward says Tim Taranto is poised to be one of the best midfielders in the AFL.

"He's the perfect build for an AFL player because he's got the height, he's strong and he can run, he's got it all," Ward said of Taranto.

"I'm so excited to see him spending more time in the midfield this season, and he can also go forward and be dangerous, and if I was playing on him inside 50 I'd be nervous.

"If he can produce his best footy more consistently this year I think he'll be one of the best midfielders in the competition."

Tim Taranto is set to miss more than two months of footy after undergoing surgery for a twisted ankle.

"This is a bitter blow for Tim who's been terrific in his debut season so far," GWS head of athletic performance David Joyce said.

"The damage to Tim's ankle was significant enough that surgery was required before commencing a thorough rehabilitation program."

Greater Western Sydney has locked away its top three 2016 draftees until the end of the 2020 season.

Teenagers Tim Taranto, Will Setterfield and Harry Perryman have wasted no time recommitting to the Giants, extending their contracts by two years apiece just 11 rounds into their first season in the competition.

Tim Taranto says GWS teammates Toby Greene, Devon Smith and Steve Johnson have contributed significantly to his development.

"When I first walked in the door I noticed how good Toby was, he'd tear it apart at training," he said.

"I just think he's an absolute stud, and the best one-on-one player in the competition with his marking and the way he uses his body.

"Devon has been really helpful to me. We live close to each other, so he takes me to games and gives me a lot of advice.

"Then there's Stevie, who is still teaching me how to kick, his leadership and knowledge is just invaluable, and he's always in the right spot at the right time.

"There's a lot of talent here and you'd be silly not to try and learn as much as possible from them, and put it into your own game."

Tim Taranto is the 2017 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee for round 8 after tallying 21 disposals against Collingwood.

Taranto says joining an AFL team for the first time was daunting.

"You walk in the doors and there are all these people staring at you, so it's pretty scary," Taranto said.

"But after a few weeks, you get comfortable and everything starts to get a bit easier. It's definitely a frightening, but exciting experience at the start.

"All you can do is work as hard as you can to try and earn that respect of the group, so you just rock up, try and be a good bloke, and work your butt off and see where it gets you."

Tim Taranto makes his AFL debut for GWS at Adelaide Oval with 13 disposals (10 kicks and 3 handballs) and 2 tackles in a 56-point loss to Adelaide.

Tim Taranto will achieve a rare feat on Sunday against Adelaide when he becomes the club's first round one debutant since 2013.

"I try and match it with the bigger boys, and I have to bring that if I want to play in this team," Taranto said.

GWS top draft pick Tim Taranto will make his debut against Adelaide in round one.

The tough 19-year-old averaged 17 possessions and over five tackles per game across the pre-season competition, playing mainly as a permanent forward, but also showed plenty while spending time in the midfield, where his quick hands and poise in traffic stood out.

Taranto's American father, who lives in Texas, told him he’d be flying to Adelaide for the game.

GWS select Tim Taranto with pick No.2 in the 2016 National Draft.