To say that recruiting Geoff Taylor to West Perth wasn't a bed of roses would be an understatement. From his days as a sixteen year old playing at full forward in Wickepin's senior side in 1965 until he finally made his league debut with West Perth in 1973, there were similarities to the Scarlet Pimpernel for the club's recruiting staff, as they attempted to get their man, only to almost lose him  to injury before his career had got off the ground. Taylor had no time for the city life. Cousins Keith Miller(West Perth),Ron Miller, and Ricky Taylor (South Fremantle) were also to be lured to the big smoke, but all were to return when a long league career seemed assured. West Perth were watching closely as Geoff kicked a hundred goals in the 1968 qualifying rounds and was a member of the Upper Great Southern Football League's combined side. Wickepin coaches, including former West Perth stars Joe Fanchi and Ron Bewick, were keeping them well acquainted with the young forward's progress, and it was in 1971 that Taylor first arrived at Leederville Oval. He played three reserves games, while at the same time, unbeknown to West Perth, was lining up with South Perth in the Sunday League on Sundays.     A broken jaw temporarily resolving the situation, Geoff returned to the Harrismith farm, and went shearing.   In 1972 he was back with South Perth, where he played three games before the exasperated West Perth discovered their lost recruit, and dispatched him back to Leederville, where he resumed training. “I had been working at Alcoa, near Pinjarra, and South Perth, coached at the time by John Todd, offered me a job as well as a game,” he explained when our own recruiting staff tracked him down. Taylor made nine appearances with the West Perth reserves before returning South to work in the wheat bins. West Perth officials finally congratulated themselves when Taylor made the league side in 1973. “It was against South Fremantle, and I played on Tom Grljusich,” he recalled. “I kicked a goal, but he flogged me,” he laughed. The handshakes proved to be premature, when after ten games, Taylor received a cartilage injury which necessitated it's removal. “I did think about giving it away,” he recalled, “but decided to give it one more go.” That decision seemed to be validated in 1974, when he started to show West Perth that their efforts to play him in the red and blue were to bear fruit, and seven goals in a game against East Perth put him into the leading full forwards category. However, with the Cardies on the bottom of the ladder, in what was to prove an inspirational move by besieged coach Dennis Jones, Taylor went to full back for the last two games of the season. In 1975, new mentor Graeme Campbell left the new full back where he was, and so the career of Geoff Taylor blossomed as a key defender. The rejuvenated full back became part of a rejuvenated side, as they stormed to a last-to-first premiership, culminating in a record winning grand final margin over South Fremantle.  The six foot one and a half  and thirteen stone Taylor became a resounding success at full back, with his kicking and marking a feature of his game. He made the defensive goalsquare his own for five years, including recognition from the State selectors in 1978 with State selection against Victoria in a State of Origin match. Playing in a back pocket, he “minded” resting ruckmen Browne, Jason Cloke, “Crackers” Keenan, and Don Scott. His form was also recognised at club level that year, finishing third in the West Perth fairest and best award, the Breckler Medal. Retiring in 1979 at the age of thirty, “I had to think about making a living,” he became a woolclasser in training at Wagin, and, apart from a couple of appearances with Tammin, football went onto the backburner while he pursued his new career. In 1984, Taylor re emerged as captain coach of cellar dweller Scarborough, in the Amateurs, following up with two years at Whitfords, returning to the same club in 1988. At this time Taylor was playing in the Veterans competition, but finally took the boots off in 1992 at the age of forty two. Ray Bauskis, Jimmy Sewell, Peter Bosustow, Archie Duda, and Murray Couper were all great full forwards that Geoff played on and rated highly, but he reckons the best opposition player he'd seen was South Australian Malcolm Blight, while he has high opinions of teammates Bill Dempsey, Mel Whinnen, and Brian Adamson.  Geoff is working in the building industry these days, as a  sub contract form worker. He enjoys walking along the nearby beach with wife Sam and their dog, plus travelling with Sam when the opportunity arises. Bowls may well be appearing on the Taylor agenda soon, although Bowling Club recruiters should find it easier going than their counterparts at West Perth! The potential of Geoff Taylor took a long time before it was realised, albeit at the other end of the ground, but both Geoff and West Perth would be satisfied with the end result, a premiership putting the icing on a fine career at full back.