8. Tayla Stahl-Smith
Club: Newtown Breakaways
Position: Midfield
Previous Clubs: Moorebank Magpies
Analysis:
If there was a top 100 list compiled at the start of this season, Tayla Stahl-Smith probably wouldn’t have even featured in that such is her meteoric rise through the ranks. And it will be no surprise that come this time next year if she fills one of the top few positions.
It’s hard to believe that Tayla had not played football until late last year where she decided to give the game a go with Moorebank. Despite playing just four games last year, Stahl-Smith made an immediate impression by being named in the best in each of those games.
2015 saw Tayla decide to really challenge herself by playing Division One football and made the move to Newtown where she has continued her spectacular development. After just 4 games of football ever, she was selected in the AFL Sydney representative side for Game 1 to take on AFL Canberra where she set the tone for the side and was among the best few players on the ground in the victory. Her infuence that day was enormous and was top 3 in the Players Player voting.
She has since been a Rising Star nominee where she will be hard to beat and also selected in the inaugural NSW/ACT side which played against AFL Victoria over the June long weekend (where again she was one of the best players).
At just 20 years of age, Stahl-Smith is as tough as they come and never shirks a contest, possesses great skills and is one that lifts teammates with her on-field leadership.
Expect to see her feature prominently at end of season awards nights and be a key member of Newtown’s finals campaign. An absolute star on the rise!
Last Modified on 17/06/2015 12:07
