“I was shocked”: Delisted Kangaroo surprised by axing, eager for another chance

Curtis Taylor admits he was taken aback when he was told by North Melbourne that he was being delisted.

The 24-year-old was not offered a new deal by the Kangaroos and was subsequently axed after six years and 76 games.

Taylor admits he was “shocked” by the club’s decision after he endured a difficult 2024 season due to injury yet still played eight games during the team’s most competitive stage of the campaign.

“I didn’t see the writing on the wall, to be honest,” Taylor said on AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade.

“Last year I played 18 games out of 23. This year I had an injury-interrupted pre-season with my back that lingered into the start of the season.

“I came in in Round 10 and got eight games out. We had three injuries on the list and it was a time we played our best footy, then I did my calf.

“It wasn’t like I was thinking it would be the end for me because I was part of North when they were competitive throughout the year.

“It did come as a surprise, the club made that decision. But I’m still 24, I’m still young, fit and ready to go, so I’ll move on to the next one.”

Taylor felt comfortable during talks with coach Alastair Clarkson and footy manager Todd Viney before learning of his fate.

“I thought the conversations were pretty good. It might have been me being a bit naive and thinking that I’m going to be ok,” he added.

“The conversations at the end were we feel like we haven’t got the best out of you, our system and our club haven’t got the best out of you. If that’s at another club you might find that.

“I was shocked. Six years, 24 years old, 76 games, I was very shocked in terms of where we were going as a club, I thought that was the age demographic that we needed.

“Obviously they made that decision and I’ll have to play my best footy somewhere else.”

Despite the setback in his career, Taylor is eager to get a second chance with another club and is leaning on his manager Liam Pickering to find him a new home.

“I still have a lot of optimism. It is tough but I just have to use the drive of that conversation with ‘Clarko’ (Clarkson) and Todd Viney around them not deciding to go with me,” he said further.

“That’s what is driving me to continue to train.

“Chatting with ‘Pickers’ my manager, I’m leaving it all up to him to gather the interest and find me a new home.

“I’m a delisted free agent so I’m essentially a free hit for clubs. I’ll just keep myself fit and motivated. I’ve got to prove to myself that I can play AFL footy at the best level, which I know I can, I’ve done it before.

“I’m very coachable, I’m happy to take on any role.

“I’m motivated to get my chance at another club and go again.

“I’m ready to go anywhere. It’s AFL footy so you travel anywhere. I just want another opportunity and I feel like I’ve got my prime ahead of me.”

Taylor spent time on the wing in 2024, but he is confident he can play his best footy as a forward.

The Keilor and Calder Cannons product was drafted by the Roos with Pick 46 in 2018 before debuting in Round 8 of the 2019 season.

His best year in royal blue and white came in 2022 when he played 22 games and averaged 15 disposals.