Sport
25 September, 2025
Maskell Medal for Taylor
TERANG MORTLAKE coach Lewis Taylor took out the Hampden League’s most prestigious honour on Sunday, winning the Maskell Medal as the senior competition’s best and fairest player.
Taylor polled 22 votes to win ahead of North Warrnambool’s Nathan Vardy and Hamilton’s Levi Dare who tied for second on 20 votes.
Taylor becomes the Bloods’ first player to win the award since Luke Vogels in 2004.
“It’s a good honour, there’s plenty of good players in the league so it’s nice to be recognised,” Taylor said.
“But individual awards pale into comparison when winning the premiership is the goal, we want to have success for our supporters.”
After injury interrupted years in 2023 and 2024, Taylor played all 18 matches for Terang Mortlake in 2025.
“I came back from a groin injury in round nine last year and haven’t missed a game since; it was great to have confidence in my body to get through it all this season.”
Despite the disappointment of missing finals in 2025, Taylor is upbeat about the Bloods’ prospects.
“We only just missed out in a really strong competition, I still feel we are in a really good spot.
“Most of the playing group has already recommitted, we had some really good young players come in and do well and we will have more good young players come in next season.”
Taylor said his award was an award for the club and thanked everyone involved.
“Thanks to my partner Tee and the old boy (father Simon) for their support and just to the whole club in general, it’s a fantastic community club to be involved in.”
Taylor, who played 124 AFL matches between 2014 and 2022, including 112 for Brisbane, will be in attendance at the MCG on Saturday to cheer on his former teammates in the grand final.
“I’ll head down to support the lads,” he said.
“Last year I sat with Darcy Gardiner who was injured, I’ll be cheering him and the boys on to get the win.”