Remembering Rusty

This article first appeared in the Canberra Times

By David Polkinghorne

ACT football icon Russell “Rusty” Taylor’s memory will live on through a scholarship named in his honour.

Taylor died from blood clots in his lungs last month, following complications from the chemotherapy he was undergoing for non-life-threatening bowel cancer.

It shocked the ACT football world as he had been involved in the game for more than 40 years

Taylor started playing as a kid, before an arm injury forced him to turn to umpiring

He officiated in 237 first-grade games, including five grand finals and was awarded the 1985 Golden Whistle, before retiring in 1993.

He continued to coach the umpires before getting a football operations job with AFL Canberra, where he worked for the last seven years of his life.

Described as a cheeky straight shooter, the 62-year-old was a life member of both AFL Canberra and the umpires’ association.

Taylor is survived by wife Viv, children John and Carly, and ex-wife Brenda.

John Taylor said the support of the local football community had been overwhelming.

There had been a minute’s silence before the Greater Western Sydney reserves clash with the ACT under-23s and John carried out the game ball for the Giants’ NAB Cup first-round game against Essendon at Manuka Oval.

”[The scholarship] was something that [former NEAFL manager] Jack Masters came up with,” John said.

”Dad was always really keen on seeing juniors develop … it means the world to our family and it’s something that’s going to last a long time.”

”Rusty” was known for his straight talking and was no different when umpiring.

If a player gave him a mouthful, he never shied away from giving it straight back.

”He always told the story of how he got shirtfronted by a player and it took him a long time to get up, and we actually had a photo of him where … he lay sprawled in his umpiring gear,” John said.

Taylor’s partner in umpiring was Bob Stacey, who said his old colleague gained players’ respect through his refusal to take a backward step.

”He was the same on-field as he was off-field, Rusty was consistent, so you knew where you stood with him,” Stacey said.

”If anyone gave him a bit of lip, he gave them a bit back … the fact that he did communicate to them and respond to them, players like that.”

AFL NSW/ACT Manager – ACT/South Coast Region Steve Mahar said the scholarship is a fantastic initiative to honour a great servant of the game.

“Rusty’s contribution to umpiring, coaching and administering AFL in Canberra has left a legacy for others to enjoy and the scholarship will ensure that his name lives on forever,” Mahar said.

“Rusty would like nothing better than to reward a young umpire and this scholarship will provide some financial assistance and professional development opportunities for the region’s best young umpire to continue their development.”

Donations can be made to the Russell Taylor scholarship by contacting AFL Canberra