Giants draft Oskar Taylor has his sights on the preseason as he farewells friends and family before heading out of state.
The tail end of 2025 has seen the outer eastern footballer left-kick his way into his AFL dreams.
Spending time with family and friends before he headed off to Sydney, Oskar said that leading up to the announcement, the atmosphere was keyed up with a little nervousness.
“Once I had my name called, it was a relief,” he said.
Having a ‘bit’ of an inkling it might be the Giants who secured the pick, Oskar said everyone jumped on him in celebration as the announcement was made – even the family dog.
The footballer has spent a few days preparing and saying goodbyes.
“I’ve been making the most of being with family,” he said.
Oskar said he hopes his natural speed and decision-making will help catch some attention.
“Hopefully, I turn a few heads in the first few days,” he said.
With round one still a while away, Oskar is now preparing to work for the preseason.
“We’ll be doing that for a few months. My goal is to play in round one,” he said.
Looking ahead, Oskar isn’t entirely sure what the next few months will look like, but said he looks forward to getting to know his new team.
“It’ll be a fair bit of running, just a fair bit of getting to know everyone, getting to know names and stuff – obviously I’m new, and they’re new to me.
“I think just jelling together as a team would probably be the main one, getting some fitness and some ball use back into everyone,” he said.
Growing up playing football at the Upwey-Tecoma Junior Football Club, Oskar said he’s always flown a little under the radar as a player, later moving to South Belgrave when he was older.
“I played a bit of interleague for the outer east, and I was never the best player, popping my head up when I needed to,” he said.
“I made Eastern Ranges a few years ago and made pretty much every side ever since that, but still didn’t get to play Victoria this year.”
Making the AFL has always been a dream, and Oskar, while quite reserved, credits his own tenacity and his strong family support to some of his success.
“I got some good form playing in the Ranges, and I think that’s probably the main reason why I’m where I am now, but it’s always been a dream of mine.
“I think I always believed in myself – so to be, you know, where I am now, I’m very proud of myself.”
Coaches, family and friends have been a stalwart presence through his journey so far.
“The Eastern Coaches have been unreal, both my Parents, my Sister, all my Cousins, Aunties, Uncles and Grandparents coming to all my games – it’s been a pretty cool year,” he said.
Keeping his eyes ahead and on his goals, Oskar said that as he evolved as a player, he couldn’t see a world without him playing AFL and with support by his side, he didn’t give up.
“I knew I was eventually going to be good enough. It motivated me a lot,” he said.
“I’d love to play a few games here of AFL footy – that’s always been my goal.”
