Taylor ready to roar as Lions defend AFLW title

WHEN the Brisbane Lions
run out on Sunday against
North Melbourne, it will be
the start of their AFLW title
defence.
Interestingly, for two-time
premiership player Taylor
Smith, the code was never on
her radar.
Starting in track and field
at age 10, Smith would
be scouted playing in an
inter-school AFL competition
in Year 12.
“I didn’t do it because I
liked AFL,” the 24-year-old
said.
“I just did it because it was
a thing after school, but I
only probably did it for a year
and then never ever thought
anything else of it, never even
watched AFL.”
After two years of playing
the sport, Smith was signed in
2020 by the Gold Coast Suns,
making her debut in round six
in their inaugural year in the
league.
“It was something that I
wasn’t expecting and probably
came around a lot quicker
than I thought it would,” she
said.
As the pandemic hit, the
entire league was left wondering
what was next, and Smith
was left reconsidering her
playing future.
In the end, the Suns delisted
Smith and she was traded to
the Lions, along with the 24th
pick of the 2020 AFLW draft.
“I was really nervous obviously
– I didn’t know anything
other than the Suns and
they were cross-city rivals.
“To step foot into Brisbane,
the environment was so well
suited to me, and all the girls
suited my personality and I fit
in really well there.
“I had also spoken with
Craig (Starcevich, head
coach) as he had been my
Queensland coach, so I
already had that relationship
with him.
“You’re obviously going to
thrive in an environment that
suits you better.”
She is currently signed until
the end of 2026, is excited
for what’s ahead in front of
the proud and loud fans at
their exceptional home base
Brighton Homes Arena in
Springfield.
“We’re obviously so blessed
to have that facility.”