[LIVE WATCH!]Greater Western Sydney Giants vs Melbourne Demons Live Free TV Channel 26 July 2024

AFL 2024: GWS star Sam Taylor eager to return after testicle injury

One of the AFL’s best defenders is ready to put a horror ordeal behind him when he returns to play on Saturday night.

GWS star Sam Taylor says “nothing will stop the way I play” as he returns from a horror ruptured testicle against Melbourne on Saturday night.

The defender has spent six weeks on the sidelines since suffering the injury during the Giants’ win over Port Adelaide in round 14.

It ruined his hopes of earning back-to-back All-Australian blazers, but Taylor said he was just excited to be rejoining the Giants’ finals tilt as they arrived in Melbourne with three consecutive wins under their belts.

Taylor, 25, said recovering from surgery had been challenging in the initial stages, but he felt ready to play since earlier this month.

“Yeah, having a concussion earlier in the year and then rupturing my testicle has been an interesting one, but I’m just happy to be back playing with the boys,” he said.

“Mentally it was pretty tough early on, just because of the unknown – it had never happened before, you don’t really see it in the AFL, but I think I’ve been ready for the last two or three weeks.

“The specialist cleared me last week, but I didn’t hit the loads (required at training to play), and then before that, I just couldn’t do contact.

“It was a long time coming, but it’s good to be back. Nothing will stop the way I play. I like playing tough, and I won’t stop that.”

Taylor said the Giants’ season had been looking “shaky” prior to their winning run, but was pleased with the timing of their return to form.