TAYLOR GARNER
DOB: 08/01/94
Height: 187cm
Weight: 77kg
Club: Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country

Bio: Garner is a medium forward who was a surprise packet in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships with his mobility and overhead marking features. Showed good footy nous as a forward averaging 3.5 tackles and 14.8 disposals. Was named at centre half-forward in the NAB AFL Under-18 All Australian team this year.

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Upside: Garner is one of the most interesting and likeable characters in this draft, a player who has shot to prominence this season and established himself as a likely first-round selection. Garner hadn't played a TAC Cup game for his side, the Dandenong Stingrays, until this year. As the season unfolded he gained more confidence, and took that into the Under-18 championships, where he starred for Vic Country. His overhead marking, smarts in the forward line, and ability to do unique things caught the attention of scouts, particularly after his three-goal effort against Western Australia. He was named in the All Australian team even though he dislocated his left shoulder in every one of his four games during the carnival. It meant soon after the championships Garner had reconstructive surgery on the joint, ruling him out of the rest of Dandenong's season and preventing him from testing at the NAB AFL Draft Combine. Everything is pretty new for the relaxed 18-year-old, who is an apprentice plumber, but his exciting style will appeal to a lot of clubs. 

"He loves the competitive side of things, he's very good over his head and he's not frightened to have a crack at flying for contested marks. He's certainly that medium to tall forward, but he can play as a defender as well. Through the championships we thought about playing him there, but he was just going too well forward." - Vic Country coach Mark Ellis

Downside: After only eight appearances for the Stingrays and four for Vic Country, there's no doubt Garner is an unexposed talent. This could work in his favour, as recruiters still might not have seen enough to get a gauge on his weaknesses. But it could also work against him, with others not ready to commit a high pick to a player they haven't been able to watch regularly all year.

Plays like: The beauty of Garner is that he is an individual talent, who plays in his own way. Sometimes he shows the same overhead marking skills as Fremantle's Nat Fyfe, but he is a different player to Fyfe. Really, Garner is a different player to most. He turns players inside out, is tough and determined, and can provide a spark for his team with a big mark, clever goal or crucial tackle. He could end up playing anywhere on the ground, too.

Draft range: Garner would suit a club that has the foundations of a good team already built, and needs an extra layer of class. That might be North Melbourne, who could do with another versatile forward. Garner should be in that range, from about pick 9-22. If still available at pick 22, the Bulldogs may swoop.

In his own words: "I play how I want to play and did it my way, I guess. It's a good feeling coming through a bit later and surprising a few people and showing what you've got."

Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
MatchesKicksHandballsMarksDisposalsDisposal efficiencyContested possessionsTacklesGoals
43227165972.9%39144.4

You can follow Callum Twomey on Twiter at @AFL_CalTwomey

The views in the article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs