A Horsham Saints product, once on the books of the Melbourne Demons, will be playing slightly closer to home next season.
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Naracoorte Football Club has secured the signature of Rory Taggert for the 2021 Kowree-Naracoorte-Taitara Football League season.
The former Demon will join the club as a playing assistant coach, providing assistance to senior coach Zack Donnelly next season.
Taggert became the first Horsham Saints player to be drafted by an AFL club when he was selected with pick 36 in the 2011 national draft.
The 27-year-old spent two seasons with Melbourne before eventually being delisted in 2013.
"Rory brings years of experience dating back to 2011, where he spent two years at the Melbourne Football Club in the AFL system," the club said on their social media page.
"He also has had experience coaching in the strong Hampden league at North Warrnambool FC and also captained their interleague team in 2016/17."
An exciting addition for Naracoorte and the league, the classy midfielder has put together some high-quality football across the last couple of seasons.
After a couple of injury interrupted stints at Sturt Football Club in the SANFL, Taggert moved to Mypolonga in the River Murray Football League.
He tasted premiership success with the Tigers in 2018, playing a key role in their 26-point grand final victory against Ramblers - he was named the side's second best player.
Despite Mypolonga missing out on finals action this year, Naracoorte's new recruit produced a fantastic individual season.
In the 2020 Mail Medal count, Taggert finished the night as the fourth highest vote-getter with nine votes, only two votes behind eventual winners Will McMurray and Adam Smyth.
He was also selected as a midfielder in the league's team of the year.
MAKING NEWS ACROSS THE WIMMERA:
A highly accomplished player in a strong country league, Naracoorte will be looking for more of the same next year.
Some locals may be aware of Taggert's connection to the club, with him being the nephew of club legend Andrew "Granny" Elliot.
"Granny has definitely had a spring in his step in that butchers shop, over the past couple of weeks," the club said.
"We welcome all of Rory's family, partner Samara and even dogs Harvey and Wilba to our great club."
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Taylor Harvey
Taylor is the lone journalist at the Border Chronicle, which serves as a news medium for residents of the Tatiara. This is his first job in the field after completing his study at the University of Adelaide.
Taylor is the lone journalist at the Border Chronicle, which serves as a news medium for residents of the Tatiara. This is his first job in the field after completing his study at the University of Adelaide.
