In a heartwarming moment that captured the essence of family celebration, a Staffordshire terrier became the unexpected star of Wednesday night's AFL draft proceedings. The black staffy joined in the wild celebrations after 18-year-old Oskar Taylor, described as one of the game's brightest young talents, was selected by the GWS Giants.
The Moment Dreams Came True
Oskar Taylor received the life-changing news that the Sydney club had chosen him as their 15th draft pick. The teenager's family home erupted with joy as loved ones gathered around him, creating scenes reminiscent of a grand final victory. Friends and family members corralled around the young athlete, showering him with embraces and congratulations.
Amidst the human celebration, the family's black Staffordshire terrier decided to join the festivities. The dog stood up on its hind paws, reaching for Taylor to share in the spoils of the teenager's incredible achievement. This spontaneous display of canine enthusiasm quickly captured hearts across social media platforms.
Social Media Sensation
The staffy's reaction immediately went viral, with countless AFL fans sharing and commenting on the touching moment. Instagram users expressed their delight at the dog's involvement in the family celebration. "A staffy of course," one social media user wrote, capturing the breed's characteristic enthusiasm. Another observer noted, "Even the dog's in on it," highlighting how the pet's genuine reaction mirrored the family's excitement.
Taylor, who joins the Giants from the Eastern Ranges club, is seen as a player with massive potential in elite AFL circles. The draft selection marks a significant milestone in his budding football career, with the family's emotional response making the occasion even more memorable.
Top Draft Pick Looks to Future
Meanwhile, Willem Duursma, the AFL's number one draft pick, is already embracing the challenge of helping rebuild the West Coast Eagles. The 18-year-old Gippsland Power product expressed excitement about forming a partnership with fellow top selection Harley Reid.
Duursma quipped about their potential dynamic, saying "If I'm Batman," in reference to their future collaboration. The new Eagle received his first official jumper from Reid himself, who gave him "a big hug on stage" in a show of immediate camaraderie.
Coming off a difficult one-win season in coach Andrew McQualter's first year, West Coast significantly bolstered their young talent stocks. The club secured high-end picks including Duursma, Cooper Duff-Tytler and Josh Lindsay during the draft proceedings.
Duursma and 2023 number one pick Reid could soon become housemates when the new Eagle moves to Perth. Reid is expected to play an important mentoring role for his new teammate as both players become key figures in McQualter's attempt to lift West Coast off the bottom of the ladder.
"We'll complement each other really well," Duursma said of his partnership with Reid. "He gets his hands dirty under there and I'll help him on the outside a fair bit, for the start at least. The sky's the limit, I think."
The 2025 AFL draft saw several notable selections, with West Coast securing the top pick in Willem Duursma, while Gold Coast matched bids for academy product Zeke Uwland and Carlton secured father-son prospect Harry Dean.
