After lighting up the VFL in the early rounds of the season, promising forward Curtis Taylor has one eye on AFL selection.               

“Obviously, when you’re drafted, you are there to play AFL footy, so I’m very hungry to get there,” Taylor told North Media. 

“When I go out each week in the VFL, I go out with the mindset that I want to play in the AFL the next week.” 

The 19-year-old has seen some of his VFL teammates make the transition to AFL with relative ease, and he is hoping to do the same, if and when the opportunity arises. 

“It’s great seeing (Nick) Larkey and (Cam) Zurhaar and those guys come through and play really well,” he said.

“They played their role at VFL level, and if I keep doing that hopefully the opportunity will come for me, and if it does, I want to make the most of it.”

Taylor has been one of North’s brightest performers in the state competition, particularly on Sunday. 

The youngster again showed why he was so highly touted as a draftee with a 3 goal, 15 disposal performance.

“I’ve been pretty happy with my form so far,” Taylor said. 

“I had one pretty quiet game, but since then I’ve been working with Brendan Whitecross, Boomer (Brent Harvey), Mason (Wood) and these type of guys, and they have helped me to improve. 

“The coaches have told me to keep getting the shots on goal, keep up the pressure and keep the playing the way I am playing and that the opportunity will come in time.” 

Taylor has caught the eye with the ability to hit the scoreboard, but he is keen to learn other roles as well. 

“I’ve been spending a bit of time on the wing to learn another position other than forward and make myself a bit more versatile,” he said. 

“But I see my strengths as more suited to a forward role, as I think I can hit the scoreboard, and can defend from the front with my work rate and pressure.” 

And he is making the most of the experienced heads around him, with current and ex-AFL players such as Dom Tyson, Tom Campbell, Aaron Hall and Whitecross all keen to pass on their knowledge.

“These guys have been really good when they have come down to the VFL,” Taylor added.

“They definitely come down with the right attitude and get the most out of us younger guys. 

“It’s great to get the knowledge off them with what they have experienced, and they help us as a team and as individuals.”