DANGEROUS forward-midfielder Sarcha Taylor is an eye-catching player who can inflict plenty of damage on opposition defences with outstanding athletic traits and great goal sense when inside 50. The North Adelaide prospect spoke to us at the recent South Australian Preseason Testing Day.
Q: Sarcha, can you talk us through your football journey?
ST: “I’m originally from Port Augusta. I started playing football when I was about seven. I was playing in an Under 6 comp but as a girl they had me playin as an overager. I played with my brother, him and my dad were the ones who got me into footy and so ever since then I’ve just grown more within the sport and now here I am.”
Q: Have you had any key mentors along the way?
ST: “Probably my dad. He played state level football back in his prime. He played for a country state side, he’s from Coober Pedy. My grandfather played at Woodville-West Torrens so growing up he was my mentor, my dad and my brother as well since I looked up to him and wanted to play the same sport as him, same team as him. I reckon those three would be my mentors growing up.”
Q: How has preseason been?
ST: “It’s been good. I’m enjoying preseason at North. They’ve been really good and the summer season with state, it was good. Trainings were good, I had a bit of a rough season with injuries so it slowed down my path to the games. But this season I’m all good and healthy so I’m ready to get back into it.”
Q: How would you describe yourself as a player?
ST: “I’m quick, I’m tricky, I love to step people and sell some candy. Also got a good attack on the ball and really good at my forward pressure.”
Q: What improvements are you looking to make in your game?
ST: “Probably my groundballs. My groundballs, I love getting low and getting the ball and going on the run, but I think just trying to steady myself because I think I’m faster than I actually am, so to steady myself and get a clean groundball rather than to fumble it all the time, so that would be my area to work on.”
Q: Do you watch a lot of footy?
ST: “Yeah.”
Q: Who do you go for in the AFL/W?
ST: “In the men’s, Eagles. But in the women’s probably Port.”
Q: Any reason for the Eagles?
ST: “Well my mum’s side of the family, she was born in WA and so I grew up around the Eagles. But it was always a competition because my mum’s side were the Eagles fans and my dad’s side were the Port fans.”
Q: Are there any players you look up to or mould your own game on?
ST: “Yeah, Danielle Ponter since she plays mid, plays forward like me, and I guess seeing the way she’s progressed in her footy has kind of inspired me to keep going with my footy as well. I look up to her in my footy.”
Q: What goals have you set for yourself this season?
ST: “I think just pretty much having a good season. As it’s draft year, just getting through the season alright, getting through state. Just training hard and playing games.”
