South Aussie Select with Taylor Goad and Tony Bamford

By ZAC MILBANK

Being considered as an AFL Draft pick certainly wasn’t on Taylor Goad’s mind this time twelve months ago.

The 207cm giant was about to embark on a senior preseason campaign with South Adelaide after being enticed to Noarlunga by school mate and fellow Panther, Tom Wheaton.

Now, the Willunga product is preparing to potentially be on a nationally televised Zoom call should his name be called in the AFL Draft on Monday night.

An Adelaide supporter throughout his childhood, Goad watched Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs and Reilly O’Brien while attending matches at AAMI Stadium and Adelaide Oval.

However, with the guidance of Port Adelaide premiership ruck Dean Brogan, Goad has modelled himself on Melbourne captain Max Gawn, showing similar intent to gather the ball at ground level.

On the last episode of South Aussie Select for 2023, Goad is joined by SANFL U18 coach Tony Bamford, who provides wonderful insight on SA’s top prospects.

Bamford likens South goalsneak Jack Delean to Western Bulldogs’ excitement machine Cody Weightman while linking Glenelg’s Ashton Moir to Sydney’s Isaac Heeney, in the way he can mark strongly overhead for a medium-sized forward.