Will Taylor with Nathan Anderson
Will, you’re off to Tasmania next year. Can you tell us a little bit about the opportunity you’ve been given in your cricketing career?
I have been given the amazing opportunity to continue my cricket career in a professional environment with bowlers like Jackson Bird, Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith. I am so excited to go down there to learn and grow as a player and hopefully try and put my best foot forward for selections.
Who were your cricketing heroes growing up?
It would definitely be the likes of Jimmy Anderson and Mitchell Johnson.
You first started with the club in 2022/23 with our AW Green Shield team. What brought you to St George in the first place?
Moving back from New Zealand, I was trying to figure out where I could play my Green Shield cricket. Luckily enough, Peter Jackson gave me a go and I have never looked back since.
You performed quite well in some pretty tight games that year. Are there any moments in particular that stand out from your AW Green Shield season?
Definitely the Penrith game away. They had a very strong side and we looked like we were in the mud a little, but I was lucky enough to get the ball in hand and grab a few wickets to seal the win for the boys.
By the end of the next season in 2023/24 you were a regular member of the 3rd Grade team. Did it help having the support of some senior players in the lower grades along the way?
Without a doubt. The bowling cartel comprised of Nathan Anderson, Steven Milliken and myself, and I couldn’t think of a more dangerous 3rd Grade attack at the time. Those two have been a huge part of my success with how they go about their game and their tactics. They’re always trying to win in every contest.
In the 2024/25 season you made your 1st Grade debut. How did you find out you were going to play?
Funnily enough I was eating KFC in my car with my mate when Stapo called telling me I was going to debut against Fairfield.
Did it feel like a step up from the other grades when you made your 1st Grade debut? What helped you in your first few games?
One thing that I would always say was that it was always going to be a step up from 2nd Grade, but it was more the margin for error as a bowler. It went from getting away with a few loose ones, to getting smashed if you missed by a fraction. It was something I had to get used to quite quickly but I was able to adapt well.
What was it like playing with first class players such as Kurtis Patterson and Blake Nikitaras?
It was awesome. The likes of Kurtis and Niko and just seeing how they go about their cricket is second to none. Kurtis is so professional in everything he does and plays the same way he does for NSW, which was something I did admire. Their game knowledge was also something that I would always test, and I’d ask questions because I wanted to know anything that could help me to improve in the slightest way.
Against Bankstown this year you took a brilliant hat-trick and ended up with 6 for 26 from 16 overs. Do you have any particular memories from that day?
The funniest memory about the day was the fact that I think it was the only three balls my dad missed all season when I was bowling. It was a bit of a blur, but I just knew that we needed something special on an absolute road at Bankstown to pull off a good result.
Did you feel like your bowling had improved this season? You had some great performances in the Poidevin-Gray games as well as 1st Grade.
I do feel like my bowling had taken another step in the right direction. I felt like I had gained a few extra clicks and my ball control was much better this season. I think another key factor to my success was the confidence I had. This definitely stems from Barts’ backing and his confidence in me to get the job done. So, I can’t thank him enough.
You played at the Under 19 state challenge and then took a step further playing in the Under 19 national championships. How did it feel to represent NSW? What did you learn from the experience?
It was an honour to represent NSW. It was one of my goals for the last two years and to be able to go to Perth and put on a good performance and some wins was something special. Unfortunately, we did get knocked out in the semis, but it was a very good week or so over there.
You were then selected for the Australian Under 19 World Cup squad. Can you remember your initial reaction?
It was a weird one because I was pretty much 100% that I was not in contention. I thought because I didn’t take many wickets that I was not going to even be considered. Then we got told right before we hopped on the plane, so the five hour flight back was a rollercoaster of shock, excitement and a sense of joy.
Unfortunately, a back injury ruled you out of playing in the World Cup. This would have been incredibly disappointing. Did you do anything to help take your mind off cricket for a while?
I think something to help me through a challenging phase like that was to not isolate myself from cricket. I made the goal to help warm up the 1st Grade side for every game. I think I only missed one match in the end. This allowed me to stay around the group and still be positive around the cricket scene rather than just isolating myself.
What did the recovery process look like for you and are you back bowling yet?
Recovery looked like complete rest for two months, which was the most boring two months ever may I add. I am not back bowling yet. I want to make sure my body is 100% when I’m ready to go. I have been doing some work with Jock Campbell to help me build back up before heading down to Tassie.
While it’s bad news for us at St George, you’re off to Tasmania. Has playing first-class cricket always been a goal of yours?
I think growing up in Australia and playing cricket in general, you can’t not dream about how one day you want to play for your state or even your country. It has always been a goal of mine, but more importantly being given the opportunity now, I’m going to try and put all my eggs in one basket and give it my best shot.
In many ways Tasmania is the New Zealand of Australia. Does it feel a little bit like a homecoming?
I did feel a sense of home when I was down there. Hobart felt a lot like Wellington in a way which is why I think the transition will go quite smoothly.
There’s already been a few Saints in recent years who have made their way down to Tasmania. How does it feel to be moving interstate and following in the footsteps of guys like Nathan Ellis, Steve Cazzulino and Raf MacMillan?
I think it is pretty cool how St George greats have done it before and now I get the opportunity to do the same as well. I’m pretty excited to get down there and learn off Ellis and see Raf again.
What has been your favourite part about playing with St George?
I think without a doubt it would have to be all the people. The club culture is the best there is in the world and it is something that I am going to miss. It’s a club where I know everyone’s name. It doesn’t matter the grade, background or anything as soon as you put on that baggy, you are filled with pride, and a sense of community and family. So that is something that I really am going to miss, and I hope that I get to come back and put it on a few more times.
You’ve played under some really experienced captains in your time at the club. Is there anything in particular that you learned from them?
I think I’ve learned so many great things from all the captains throughout the grades. Wigs really taught me what it means to play men’s cricket and have good fun whilst also playing hard. Warky was one where you got to see what patience and a new ball can do to batting orders and how if you put it on a spot all day you will get rewarded. Ando was one that made everyone around them really know what we are playing for, not just ourselves but everyone else that has played for the club and the privilege that comes with running out with your mates every weekend. Stapo and Barts would always reiterate that the game was never over until the last ball. They taught me what it means and looks like to be a successful bowler in 1st Grade and their trust in me is something I will always cherish.
Are there any particular people at the club that you’ve seen as mentors for you in your time here?
Nathan Anderson is a big one. His leadership and club first mentality is something that I have looked up to. Our constant banter throughout every training session, whilst still learning off each other has been a major Influence. Others would be Peter Jackson and Andrew Walsh. They put their trust in me when selecting Green Shield, PGs and even 1st Grade teams. They would always give me the confidence to know I was in the right place and where I belong.
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Do you have any particular cricketing memories from the last four years?
Winning the Club Championship is something that I will never forget, a year of hard work and determination paid off for everyone involved and it was awesome to see everyone celebrate. Another one would have to be taking the hat-trick earlier this season. There would also have to be the countless hours spent fielding and training at Hurstville with your best mates. The banter, jokes, fun and games whilst also getting everything out of a session made it feel like time well spent.
What do you think you’ll miss most when you head to Tasmania?
I think I will just miss coming to Hurstville Oval three times a week and seeing everyone.
You started studying at university this year. What are you studying and how has that changed now that you’re moving away from Sydney?
I began studying a civil engineering degree but made the decision to go part time online and do only one or two papers and slowly tick them off.
There will naturally be a lot to adjust to down in Tasmania. What are you most looking forward to about the next two years?
I’m just excited to learn and do everything in my power to grow myself as a player and a person. I’m excited to get some exposure to some excellent facilities and coaches and really see if I have what it takes to be a top first class bowler.
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
I just want to say how grateful I am to this club for the opportunities it has given me, the lifelong friends I’ve made, and the sense of family I’ve found here. I wish St George all the best in the seasons ahead, and as always—OH WHEN THE SAINTS!