Recently delisted North Melbourne midfielder-forward Curtis Taylor is eyeing a strong VFL campaign to get himself back on an AFL list after signing with Collingwood's reserves team for the 2025 season.
The 24-year-old played 76 games for the Kangaroos across six seasons at Arden Street, however just managed eight appearances in 2024. Previously, the former Pick 46 was a main staple in North Melbourne's side, playing 57 games between 2021 and 2023.
However, the Roos made the tough call to delist Taylor alongside Bigoa Nyuon, Tyler Sellers and Hamish Free in September.
Taylor was hopeful for an AFL lifeline as a delisted free agent, assuring clubs he was a "free hit" as a fit 24-year-old. Yet, no one came knocking, leading to Taylor's signing with Collingwood in the VFL.
Taylor said that Collingwood was one of the first VFL clubs he met with after his AFL lifeline opportunities fell through.
"It was a bit of a wait and see as standard with the draft and delisted free agency and what not and Collingwood was one of the first clubs I met with from a VFL perspective," Taylor said.
"Once I had a conversation at the Pies about where they think they can take my footy it all happened quickly – it was a long wait initially but then once I knew VFL was the next step it all happened quickly."
Taylor remains determined to join an AFL list again in the future, referring to current AFL-listed Magpie Lachie Sullivan as an example of a player who earned an AFL contract through his VFL performances.
"I definitely want to be playing AFL footy again and hopefully the pathway to playing VFL here and then potentially playing for Collingwood in the AFL would be a dream come true," Taylor said.
"You take confidence from seeing guys get elevated from the program and even going back to them using SSP spots on guys like Lachie Sullivan."
Sullivan was signed by Collingwood as an SSP recruit at the end of the last pre-season, which resulted in the 27-year-old playing 10 AFL games and earning a one-year contract extension for 2025.
With an abundance of mature-age recruits now forging careers at the highest level, Taylor believes he has what it takes to make an impact at AFL level again in the near future.
"The goal for this summer is just to get as fit as I can to give myself the opportunity to have a good season," Taylor said.
Most recently, Shaun Mannagh of Geelong was drafted from Werribee's VFL side and played a crucial role in the back half of the year, whilst 2022 Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal winner Ethan Phillips was selected in the Supplemental Selection Period by Hawthorn.
Former Mannagh teammate Riley Bice was drafted by Sydney this year too, and another Werribee teammate Dom Brew is currently training at the Bulldogs in a bid to be signed through the SSP.
