Off-season Sydney Swans recruit Lewis Taylor's fresh AFL start is already paying dividends.
The 2014 AFL Rising Star missed only three games in his first five seasons at Brisbane but fell out of favour last year, as the Lions transformed from strugglers into premiership contenders.
Taylor wasn't a strong performer in Sydney's first Marsh Community Series match – not many Swans were – but he was one of the best players afield against North Melbourne on Monday.
However, his 25 disposals, five clearances and accurate snap midway through the final term, which gave the Swans the lead, weren't enough to inspire his side to victory in a seesawing encounter.
Late goals to Kangaroos draftee Jack Mahony and bulldozing midfielder Jed Anderson saw their team win 14.6 (90) to 12.7 (79), with their own Taylor – Curtis – making a huge impression as well.
North's Taylor (21 possessions, two goals and eight score involvements) as good as booked his Round 1 place with his latest strong pre-season outing.
The 19-year-old forward made two senior appearances in his debut season and looks set to capitalise on injured teammate Kayne Turner's long-term absence.
The Roos bounded out of the blocks with four of the first five goals with the aid of the breeze at Hobart's Kingston Twin Ovals but trailed by as many as 21 points early in the third quarter.
Evergreen Swan Josh Kennedy (23 of his 37 disposals to half-time, 10 tackles and eight clearances), Tom Papley (four goals) and Taylor were largely responsible for that buffer.
Papley ran opponent Luke McDonald ragged from go-to-whoa.
North Melbourne looked in danger at that stage of a disappointing end to the pre-season series but engineered a comeback led by All Australian Shaun Higgins, who was typically outstanding.
Higgins gathered 31 disposals and added a pair of goals and found willing allies in Jy Simpkin (26, including 15 contested) and Anderson (24), who did the bulk of the grunt work in the middle.
With Ben Brown still sidelined with a sore calf, Nick Larkey stepped up in attack to kick three goals and win 17 possessions in an imposing performance.
There was also a bit to like about Aaron Hall's display as he makes a bid to be a part of the Kangaroos' Round 1 plans.
The result won't be of great concern to Sydney coach John Longmire but he will sweat a bit on Will Hayward's first-quarter report for a high bump on Taylor.
WHO'S MISSING?
North Melbourne: Ben Brown (calf) is the major out for the Roos and he said in a half-time interview on Fox Footy that he was still aiming for Round 1 but might not be back until as late as Round 3. The other injured senior regulars are out for the long term, including Kayne Turner (foot), Luke Davies-Uniacke (groin), Ben Jacobs (concussion) and Ed Vickers-Willis (knee).
Sydney: Spearhead Lance Franklin (knee) is as many as six weeks away, so the Swans will have to start the season without their biggest star. Defender Lewis Melican (hamstring) is also a little while off, while Sam Reid (calf) and Robbie Fox (ankle) aren't far away.
NEW FACES
North Melbourne: Ex-Lion and Cat Josh Walker looks to have won a key defensive spot – or is at least in front – given Sam Durdin's absence from Monday's game. Draftee Jack Mahony finished well and kicked a late goal, while Aiden Bonar came on at half-time and did some good things.
Sydney: Lewis Taylor was one of the major positives for the Swans, winning 25 disposals. He buzzed around, kicked a last-quarter goal and added five clearances to make a strong case for Round 1 selection. Sam Gray also impressed in a forward role, while Kaiden Brand held down a defensive post. Top-five draft pick Dylan Stephens did enough to suggest he should be in the senior side from the get-go.
FANTASY WATCH
Second-year midfielder James Rowbottom (MID/FWD) $469,000, who played 12 senior games last season, is tough, quick and burrows into packs. Had 10 of his 15 touches to half-time and complemented them with nine tackles and three score involvements. Curtis Taylor (FWD) $170,000 looked off the pace in two AFL appearances in his debut season but is a different player a year later. He's hit the scoreboard in the pre-season, is creative and has demonstrated some aerial prowess as well. Looks a Round 1 bolter.
NEXT UP
Sydney starts its premiership campaign on the road at Adelaide Oval against the Crows on March 21, while North Melbourne begins against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium the following afternoon.
NORTH MELBOURNE 5.0 6.1 11.4 14.6 (90)
SYDNEY 3.1 8.3 10.5 12.7 (79)
GOALS
North Melbourne: Larkey 3, Higgins 2, Curtis Taylor 2, Goldstein, Polec, Zurhaar, Ahern, Hall, Mahony, Anderson
Sydney: Papley 4, Rowbottom, Lloyd, McCartin, Heeney, Hayward, Kennedy, Sinclair, Taylor
BEST
North Melbourne: Higgins, Simpkin, Curtis Taylor, Anderson, Larkey, Pittard
Sydney: Kennedy, Papley, Lewis Taylor, Parker, Mills, Lloyd
INJURIES
North Melbourne: Nil
Sydney: Nil
Reports: Will Hayward (Sydney) for forceful front-on conduct on Taylor (North Melbourne) in the first quarter
Umpires: Donlon, Rosebury, Gavine, Power
Official crowd: TBC at Kingston Twin Ovals
