Zac Taylor always thought his AFL future would be built in the midfield. 

But after a stop‑start 2025 campaign, the young Crow found himself learning one of footy’s toughest crafts - the high half‑forward role.

And with the guidance of a teammate and one of the competition’s most respected half-forwards, Taylor has not only embraced the positional change, but begun to thrive in it.

“I was a midfielder coming through…but before the pre-season started last year, they (the coaches) brought it up to me, asked whether I wanted to train there and have a look through there, just as a way into the team,” Taylor said.

“So I just tried it, learnt the running patterns and structures as a forward because it’s completely different to the midfield.

“Nibbler (Alex Neal-Bullen) has been huge for me, and I've just been learning off him.

“He's one of the ultimate professionals and a very well respected player in the comp, so I’ve been doing heaps of work with him, whether that's extra touch sessions, just going through vision and stuff like that. 

“I probably wouldn't be where I am without him. He has helped with my ability to embrace the role and, and do what's needed for the team, and then rewards will come from that.”

Taylor did, however, have to bide his time for a few weeks at the start of this season, before being called up to the Crows’ AFL side for its Round Three clash against Geelong.

Since then, the 23-year-old has not missed a match.

In the Crows’ 57-point win against the Bulldogs last Thursday night, Taylor finished as one of the highest rated players from Round 14, according to Champion Data AFL Player Ratings, with a personal best of 15.8.

That was after recording 17 disposals, four marks, five inside-50s, six score involvements,  and kicking two goals.

Although some of what he does as a half-forward flies under the radar, Taylor says he is happy just playing his role for the team.

“My role is to play that real pressure forward, almost a defensive forward role, and I feel like I've cemented my spot in the team now, and I am starting to play some really good footy,” Taylor said.

“I’ve played on some of the best attacking half‑backs this year, and just trying to limit their impact on the game.

“I’m now feeling very comfortable at the level, and just having the ability to try and hurt them on the way back to goal is my main focus.

“I’d much prefer playing the shutting‑down role for the team, than kicking a few goals. People outside probably don’t see it, but when you get noticed after games in team meetings, it’s pretty humbling.”

From fringe to consistent contributor

After being selected at the 2021 AFL Draft, Taylor’s first few years at the Crows were tough and, by his own admission, he took a while to adapt to the rigours of AFL life.

He made his AFL debut in 2024 and managed nine appearances, then 17 in 2025.

Taylor was, however, frequently used early in his career in the now defunct tactical substitution role and he reflected on what that was like.

“I've always sort of been on the fringe, so I think once you get three or four pretty good games in, you sort of seem a bit more comfortable, and you're not so sort of worried about your performance it's more about if you're playing your role or not,” Taylor said.

“It's obviously, mentally it's hard because you want to be playing AFL footy, and when you're playing, then when you're getting dropped and getting picked again, it was hard.

“Especially my first couple years, when the sub was in, it was always hard to get subbed out of games, or you start as a sub. Now  that I'm playing some really consistent footy, and not having to go through that too much, hopefully that stays.”

Elite ball use driving breakout season

This season, Taylor has a career-best disposal efficiency of 80.9 per cent and a 77.2 per cent kicking efficiency.

His disposal efficiency is rated ‘elite’, after it sat at 100 per cent for three games this season - against Geelong in Round 13, Round Four against Fremantle, and in Round Three against the Cats.

In the Round 14 win against the Bulldogs, Taylor posted a 76.5 per cent disposal efficiency.

Taylor says his clean hands and ball use is what he prides himself on.

“I think I was sort of building towards that, I don't really look at the stats too much anymore, but I was just happy with how I played and the role I had (against the Bulldogs),” Taylor said.

“I feel like I've always had really good skills coming through the ranks, but I'm just doing extra touch sessions, and just working on different things, so I think that's helping me come game day, and making it a lot easier to hit targets and play my role.

“I think it’s just understanding what my role is as a player and what the team needs from me, as well, and if I can get that done, then that allows me to play my best footy and gives me a lot of confidence that the team's backing me to play.”

Adelaide Oval’s atmosphere and the Crows’ faithful

Growing up in Victoria, playing footy on Adelaide Oval was foreign for Taylor, but now, it’s the ground he loves the most.

Not only is it because of the iconicness of AO, but also because of the Crows’ supporters who turn the stadium into a fortress.

“I love Adelaide Oval. I think the crowd and the atmosphere is like nothing else,” Taylor said.

“It’s unreal, especially in home games and Showdowns.

“The crowd does something for the team, and it also gets us up and limits the opposition’s influence on the game.”

Most memorable goal kicked and game of 2026

Out of the 11 games Taylor has played so far this season and eight goals he’s kicked in 2026, there’s two from each of those categories that stand out as his favourites.

“I've had some pretty memorable games at Adelaide Oval, which I'm thankful for,” Taylor said.

“(This year) I'll probably say the Showdown, only because I was very close to Brayden Cook when he kicked that winning goal.

“In terms of my favourite goal, I’d say the one I kicked against Geelong - Nibbler gave it to me and I kicked a nice snap, so that’s probably my favourite.”

Reflections on the Crows’ season so far

Adelaide has won its past two games since the bye - a one-point victory against Geelong and a 57-point thumping of the Bulldogs.

Ahead of the team’s Round 15 game against Melbourne this Saturday, the Crows have an 8-5 win-loss record and are sixth on the ladder.

Taylor said the bye allowed players to go away and work on their deficiencies and return with real clarity ahead of the second half of the season.

“I think the last couple weeks have been really positive, we're finally getting our game together,” Taylor said.

“Starting games well has been one of our positives in the past couple of weeks, as we didn't really start well at the start of the year, so our ability to play all four quarters is something that we've been doing really well.

“The bye just allowed us to learn from things you've done at the start of the year and things you need to improve on, and, and you got a bit of time to look at a few things rather than just being game to game.”

What it’s going to take to beat Melbourne

Adelaide has another tough task ahead of it, with preparations underway for a clash against fourth-placed Melbourne at Adelaide Oval this Saturday afternoon.

The Demons enter the match with a 9-5 win-loss record and are coming off a 45-point victory against Essendon.

Taylor was confident the Crows’ best would stack up against the Dees.

“They're a very good side at the moment, we've got a lot of respect for them,” Taylor said.

“But with the way we’ve been playing over the past few weeks, if we can continually bring our pressure on the game and the way we've been moving the footy, I think we should be in good stead to beat Melbourne.”

Adelaide faces Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Sunday at 12.45pm.

Tickets available here.