A hip joint injury against Collingwood in round 4 stunted an otherwise smooth transition into Luke Beveridge's lineup. After returning post-bye, the ex-Hawk locked down his role in the back half on his way to his most impressive fantasy showing since 2015 and a career-high disposal average, going at a rate of 89 after round 17. Duryea would be a responsible middle-tier selection if not for the fact that he underwent surgery in the off season to repair a groin injury. Talk is that he'll be back to full-blown training come February, so his value dips slightly considering that. An obvious watchlist candidate.
Unfair break for Duryea
A hip joint injury against Collingwood in round 4 stunted an otherwise smooth transition into Luke Beveridge's lineup. After returning post-bye, the ex-Hawk locked down his role in the back half on his way to his most impressive fantasy showing since 2015 and a career-high disposal average, going at a rate of 89 after round 17. Duryea would be a responsible middle-tier selection if not for the fact that he underwent surgery in the off season to repair a groin injury. Talk is that he'll be back to full-blown training come February, so his value dips slightly considering that. An obvious watchlist candidate.
Duryea on a prayer
A two-time premiership player, Taylor Duryea arrives at the Bulldogs following a disappointing 2018. The half back struggled with form throughout the latter half of his career at the Hawks, gathering less disposals and dropping his efficiency by over ten percentage points following his breakout third season. Trialled as a pressure forward for periods of the last two years, Duryea was unable to make a significant impact at the other end of the ground. Taylor Duryea arrives at Whitten Oval tasked with reproducing his elite disposal efficiency of 83% from 2016. Competing with a raft of established HBFs for his preferred role in the side, Doc will need to deliver the form which made him such a promising talent. A likelier outcome is that he plays as a back pocket, quelling the most dangerous small forwards. As the potential for defensive roles appears high, Duryea is unlikely to require selection.
Doc docked of points
One of the selection scapegoats for Hawthorn's disastrous opener last season, Taylor Duryea struggled with form for a couple of months. Upon return, he was used in a new role as a defensive-minded small forward, applying tags to the best opposition HBF. While unable to hit the scoreboard with regularity with just six majors in nine matches in that role, he was often able to limit the opposition's rebound quality. The change in role may have kept Duryea in the AFL side last season, at some cost to his scoring potential. His best form came in 2015 with penetrating kicks out of defence, but it is a much different Hawk defence these days with Blake Hardwick and Teia Miles battling it out for spots, so it appears unlikely that Duryea will regain his preferred position. Avoid if he continues in his role as a small forward.
