Zane Taylor

Who is Zane Taylor?

Zane Taylor is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the Victorian Football League during the early 1980s. He spent time as a forward and midfielder during his career but it was as a half back flanker that he made the official "Queensland Team of the Century" in 2003.

Although he had only just turned 23 when he started out at Geelong during the 1980 VFL season, Taylor was already a multiple "Best and Fairest" winner for Southport. He was suspended after his debut, for two games, having been found guilty of striking South Melbourne's Michael Wright with a clenched first. The suspension was costly as he was out of the seniors for seven weeks but when he returned he became a regular member of the team for the rest of the season. He played just six games in 1981 but appeared in a preliminary final, his second in two years.

Taylor returned to Southport during the 1983 VFL season and finished equal first in voting for the Grogan Medal, but was ineligible due to suspension. He however won the award in 1985 and would go on to captain Southport to three premierships. His 26 interstate appearance for Queensland is a record and the medal given to the best player for the state in interstate matches is now named after him.