Michael Taylor

(1972 -1980, 1985 - 1987, 2001 - 2004)

One of the greatest

If the late Wat Scott reckoned Michael Taylor was one of the greatest players in Norwood’s history, then that’s that. Wat won a record six Norwood club champion awards; more than 75 years later Michael is the only player to have matched that feat. Also called “Kingo” after the South-East town of Kingston he left as a 16-year-old to try his luck at the Parade, Michael was an exemplar of the well rounded footballer. What he didn’t have, which was real pace and a big leap, he made up for with what he did have, which was everything else. Courage, discipline, hand and foot skills, consistency, stamina, team sense - you name them. His quiet intelligence and his capacity to organise his own game and the games of others made him a coach’s dream, and a dream captain. Kingo was runner up to Russell Ebert for the 1980 Magarey Medal, and was one of the first picked for his State. Initially as a back pocket, where he rewrote the rule book for the position by counter-attacking into the forward lines, and later as a ruck-rover and midfielder, Michael learnt the game inside-out. He has worn this knowledge well whether coaching, assisting or playing at Collingwood, Adelaide and West Adelaide. But Norwood is the great Kingo’s home.

Games: 289 Goals: 126
Premierships: 1975, 1978
Premiership captain: 1978 Captain: 1978-80
Club champion: 1973-74, 1978-80, 1986
Further honours: Norwood Player Life Member, Norwood Team of the Century, SANFL Hall of Fame, NFL Champions of Australia Night Competition 1977, SA games 13, SA coach 1993, 1994

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