Taylor to fly Eagles’ nest

Outgoing Beaconsfield coach Robbie Taylor addresses his charges during their loss at Keysborough on Saturday. 33299 Picture: Stewart Chambers

By Brad Kingsbury
ROBBIE Taylor has announced he will stand down as Beaconsfield coach at the end of the 2009 season.
The league and multiple club best-and-fairest winner told the Eagles’ committee that he would end his two-season tenure two weeks ago, and officially informed the players at training last night.
The 30-year-old on-baller added that his decorated playing career would likely come to an end at the same time, with the rigours of more than a decade at the top taking its toll on his body.
Initially the decision was to be kept in-house until the Eagles were ready to announce it and start the search for a new mentor.
However Taylor decided to announce it after Saturday’s loss to bottom-placed Keysborough in an effort to rekindle his side’s derailed season and give the club time to start the search for a replacement.
“I’m not going on next year. The decision was made after the (round-11) Doveton game and I spoke to the committee then and told them,” he said.
“We’re scratching at the bottom of the barrel to find some sort of motivation and it does have an effect on you.
“I just hope the players can find some pride and spirit and not let the season be completely wasted,” he said.
President Terry Lock said that Taylor’s move was a shock, but he supported him in whatever decision he made.
Lock added that Taylor was a high-quality person who had the respect of his team-mates and his opposition.
“Rob came to us and told us where he was at and made the call. It was not pre-empted at all by the club and we were quite surprised actually,” he said.
Lock would not be drawn on a possible replacement and said a thorough search for the right person had already begun.
Taylor’s football record is impressive and included two reserves best-and-fairest awards at AFL club Richmond, a stint at West Adelaide in the SANFL and a Casey Cardinia League best-and-fairest medal.
He was an assistant coach with the Eagles for five years before taking the reins from Haydn Robins after the 2007 season.