GIANTS star Sam Taylor is officially a two-time All Australian after being recognised for his starring individual season with selection in the 2025 All-Australian team.
One of four GIANTS named in Tuesday’s 44-man All-Australian squad, Taylor was honoured with selection in the final All-Australian side at the AFL Awards night in Melbourne on Thursday night.
Named at full back in this year’s team, Taylor’s second All-Australian nod comes following another stellar season in defence from the 26-year-old GIANTS star.
Missing out on All-Australian honours over the last two seasons due to a pair of injury-interrupted campaigns, Taylor collected a well-earned second blazer on Thursday night after featuring in 19 games across the 2025 home and away season to firmly re-establish himself as the best intercept mark in the competition as well as the league’s stingiest key defender.
Leading the entire competition in both total (70) and average (3.9) intercept marks per game, as well as sitting inside the top 10 for contested marks, Taylor was once again a dominant force down back in 2025 as the leader of the GIANTS brilliant backline.
Often regarded as the best key defender in the league, Taylor’s starring season down back helped play a key role in the GIANTS equalling a club record 16 wins across the home and away season en route to an incredible eighth finals campaign in the last 10 seasons.
GIANTS Executive General Manager of Football, Jason McCartney, said Taylor’s second All-Australian selection was a fitting reward for a dominant season in defence.
“We’re incredibly proud of Sam to see him named in the All-Australian side once again,” McCartney said.
“He’s an incredible player and it’s fantastic to see him duly recognised for another outstanding season down back.
“Sam has really established himself as one of the best defenders in the league and his performances across this season have only further cemented that reputation.
“His ability to shut down the best forwards in the game and also kickstart our attack with his intercept marking make him an invaluable asset to our side and pivotal to the way we play.
“Sam thoroughly deserves this recognition, and we’re excited to see what he can deliver as we head into another finals series.
“I’d also like to congratulate Tom Green, Finn Callaghan, and Lachie Ash on their own fantastic individual seasons after being recognised in the All-Australian squad on Tuesday.
“They are three key pieces of our side and will be stars in this league for many years to come and it was great to see them rewarded as amongst the best in the competition with selection in the All-Australian squad.
Taylor’s All-Australian recognition comes as the GIANTS prepare to host Hawthorn in a cutthroat Elimination Final at ENGIE Stadium next Saturday, September 6 at 3:15pm.
