THEY hail from the same area, were drafted within two picks of each other and are now following similar paths at AFL level.
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Brisbane rising star Lewis Taylor and Essendon jet Zach Merrett – two of the Western District’s most promising players – are proving themselves as stars of the 2013 draft class.
The pair were their respective side’s best in round two – Taylor gathering 22 touches on his way to two goals in the Lions’ loss to North Melbourne and Merrett collecting 32 disposals to go with his two majors in the Bombers’ shock win against Melbourne.
Their careers have followed similar trajectories since Merrett landed at Essendon via pick 26 and Taylor at the Lions at pick 28 three years ago.
The Terang Mortlake-aligned Taylor, 21, has played 46 games straight since his debut in round one, 2014, and is on track to reach a mini milestone against Sydney in round six.
Merrett, one of Cobden’s envious list of AFL exports, made his first senior appearance that weekend too and has gone on to play 39 matches with a foot injury sidelining the creative midfielder-forward in the latter stages of last season.
Taylor, the 2014 rising star award winner, is averaging 18.9 touches a match across his short career, while Merrett, already in the Bombers’ leadership group, is slightly higher at 19.2.
The goal stakes is in Taylor’s favour – he’s booted 34 to Merrett’s 17 – but both have a penchant for hitting the scoreboard at critical moments.
Hampden league fans will have to wait until round 17 to see two of its best against each other this season.
