North AdelaideNorth AdelaideRuck Forward

#41

Taj Murray

height: 201cm

weight:

D.O.B: 05-02-2007

Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys

  • Snapshot
  • Analysis
  • Summary

SNAPSHOT: “An agile key position prospect boasting terrific aerial attributes and enormous upside.” – Michael Alvaro

To say Taj Murray’s top-age year has been busy would be an understatement. The Northern Territory native turned out for local club Nightcliff back in February amidst his preseason with South Australia’s state program, going on to link up with North Adelaide for the first block of the SANFL Under 18 season. He also represented the AFL Academy in two games during the early part of the year, making it three teams represented.

Murray’s next stop was to don Northern Territory colours for a stint in the Coates Talent League, for which he won the Hunter Harrison Medal as the best player in the Academy Series. He then stepped up into the Allies camp for his run at the National Championships. It was there where he produced his breakout game, booting four goals to go with 11 disposals and 15 hitouts against South Australia in the opening game of the carnival.

Amidst his travels, Murray’s home (away from home) base was boarding at the prestigious Prince Alfred College in Adelaide. He made the move south last year having been named All-Australian and state MVP at the 2023 Under 16 National Championships. It was a move made all the more easy by the presence of family, having his aunty and uncle for support, and eventually his mum who grew up living in SA.

Murray’s persuit of football came at the cost of his promising junior basketball career. He captained the Northern Territory as a keen representative all the way until the Under 18s, but found a greater love playing Aussie rules. He’s a St Kilda supporter who models his game on new Saints recruit Tom De Koning, and Fremantle gun Luke Jackson as a light and mobile ruck-forward capable of jumping over opponents.

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STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Agility
+ Follow-up work
+ Reach
+ Upside
+ Vertical leap

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Consistency
- Strength

High-upside key position prospects are often amongst the most exciting in the draft pool, and Murray fits that bill. He can do things most 201cm players only dream of, exhibiting outstanding agility and roaring aerial ability to impact each phase of play. Much of that comes down to Murray's athleticism, and is what makes him suited to the requirements of modern day talls - particularly ruck-forwards.

Murray's aerial work is what often catches the eye first. He possesses a spring-heeled vertical leap and measured up with the longest reach of any player at the National Draft Combine. Combined, those attributes help him access the ball first at centre bounces or in marking contests. He's a rangy type who may not be the most physically imposing in one-on-one duels, but can win them in unorthodox ways.

The Territorian rates himself best as a deep forward, where he can also score in a variety of ways. Whether marking to earn a set shot or following up at ground level for a snap, he often backs himself to split the big sticks. Although, Murray can perhaps continue to improve his goalkicking accuracy given he can either slot miraculous goals from tight angles, but just as easily put a more straightforward shot wide.

Elsewhere, Murray's mobility is evident and helps him not only get separation on the lead, but also impact once the ball hits the deck. He's quick off the mark and highly dextrous below his knees, while also being agile enough to cut through traffic like a much smaller player. His follow-up work is still developing, but he is capable of becoming a fourth midfielder while rucking and competes hard to lay wrap-up tackles.

Where Murray will find further growth is his consistency. As outlined in a goalkicking sense, he could become more clinical, while also continuing to find ways to impact around the ground. Part of that comes down to optimising his running tank and building strength, which will in turn give him the confidence to compete at the highest of levels. As it stands, he's a terrific athlete with plenty of raw potential.

DRAFT RANGE: 30-45

SUMMARY:

Trends and rule changes suggest athletic rucks who can cover ground will be favoured in future, which is great news for Murray. While he says he feels most comfortable as a deep forward, there is no escaping his upside when running on-ball, and his ability to play both positions well only adds to his value. Murray looms as a second round prospect who could explode at the next level, and is the Northern Territory’s best genuine tall talent in some time. He’ll take a few years to add size and develop his game, but could reward a club massively in the long-term.

AFL U18 Championships

SeasonTeamKHBDMCPUPTHOCLRI50R50GLGMKHDMHOTGDC
2024Allies000000000000000000000
2025Allies13122571312525341434.34.08.32.38.31.71.350
Total-13122571312525341434.34.08.32.38.31.71.350

Coates Talent League Boys

SeasonTeamKHBDMCPUPTHOCLRI50R50GLGMKHDMHOTGDC
2024Northern Territory191433400743043129.57.016.52.021.53.50.579
2025Northern Territory2213351419161139747037.34.311.74.713.03.70.070
Total-41276818191618827810158.25.413.63.616.43.60.2149
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