THERE wasn't much for North Melbourne to enjoy from Saturday night's crushing at the hands of the Western Bulldogs, but the Roos have salvaged something in the loss.
Curtis Taylor kicked two goals from 13 disposals in the loss, and has been awarded the week five NAB AFL Rising Star nomination after a string of solid performances close to goal.
>>Check out Taylor's cracking mark in round four in the player above
The second-year Kangaroo has played every game this season and booted five goals, with his two-goal effort against the Bulldogs the best of his seven-game career to date.
Curtis has offered a new dimension to North's forward line, as the Roos search for some options close to goal to complement full-forward Ben Brown.
Taylor's overhead marking – his flies for grabs have been more commonplace as he has settled into his forward spot – classy ball use and smarts have made the 20-year-old a regular fit in Rhyce Shaw's side in 2020.
It came after a stern meeting with Shaw on the eve of last year's Christmas break, as the new Roos coach delivered the blunt message that Taylor had to lift his training standards or be left behind.
That eventuated, with Taylor winning a place in the Roos' round one win over St Kilda before the AFL's shutdown period.
RISING STARS Who's been nominated?
North Melbourne's confidence in Taylor's ability shone through in his NAB AFL Draft season in 2018, when he surprisingly slipped down the order.
The Roos, in the first year of live trading, made a deal during the second day of the draft to move up the board to nab the Calder Cannons product with pick No.46.
