Brian Taylor (Australian footballer)

This page is about the Australian rules footballer. For the musician, see Dolphin Taylor. For the cricketer, see Brian Taylor (cricketer)

Brian Taylor (born April 10, 1962), is a former Australian rules footballer and now AFL commentator.

Playing career

The moustachioued Taylor, known as "Barge" or "BT", began his VFL career with Richmond in 1980, and had the misfortune of being a full-forward at the same club as the legendary Michael Roach. It was for this reason that he was left out of the 1982 Grand Final team, and he eventually left the Tigers at the end of the 1984 season, having played 43 games and kicking 156 goals.

In 1985 Taylor, playing with Subiaco, won the Simpson Medal as best player in the WAFL grand final.

Taylor after the 1985 season joined Collingwood and quickly became a favourite. He kicked 100 goals in 1986 to win the Coleman Medal, which remained his career highlight. Taylor retired at the end of the 1990 season at only 28 years of age, due to constant knee injuries. He had played 97 games for the Magpies, kicking 371 goals.

Post-playing career

Soon after retiring, Taylor coached Prahran in the VFA, but it was in 1997 when he joined the AFL commentary lineup on Triple M (who had recently acquired the broadcast rights), that "BT" made a name for himself behind the microphone. His passionate commentary style led to him uttering the famous words "Thanks to Hahn Premium Light, Triple M ROOOOOOOCKS football!". As well as commentating for Triple M with the team of Sam Newman, James Brayshaw and Jason Dunstall, he commentates on the Nine Network's Sunday AFL coverage, and also uses his extensive knowledge of the game as a forward coach for many players in the AFL.