GWS star defender Sam Taylor has been ruled out indefinitely after undergoing surgery on a ruptured testicle.
Taylor suffered the injury during last week’s 22-point win over Port Adelaide.
The two-time Australian defender was not listed on GWS’s official injury list on Tuesday, but the club revealed the news on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
A schedule for your return will only be established once you see a specialist.
“Sam Taylor will be sidelined after suffering a ruptured testicle during last week’s game and undergoing successful surgery yesterday,” the post said.
Sam Taylor (pictured) ruptured his testicle during the Giants’ win over Port last Sunday.
The 25-year-old player had to undergo surgery and there is no date set for his return to the field.
‘Sam is home and recovering and the timetable for his return will be established after consultation with specialists. Sending our love to Slammer.’
Taylor’s injury has come at a bad time for the Giants, whose season is at the crossroads after recording just two wins in their last six games.
GWS (8-5) is fifth, but is just one win ahead of the teams ranked 9-12 in the standings.
The Giants face the table-leading Sydney Swans on Saturday.
Taylor was widely expected to land the job for Sydney spearhead Joel Amartey, who scored nine goals against Adelaide last week.
Taylor’s absence is a big blow for the Giants when they take on the red-hot Swans this week.
Earlier this week, Sydney coach John Longmire described Taylor as the best defender in the competition.
“Sam Taylor is probably the best defender in the competition at the moment. It’s going to be a big challenge for (Amartey),’ Longmire said.
The Giants star is far from the only footballer affected by this serious injury in recent times.
NRL star Tom Dearden managed to continue playing and was even named man of the match after suffering the injury in the 24th minute of the Cowboys’ game against the Warriors in August 2022.
Then-Penrith hardman Spencer Leniu ruptured a testicle in May last year, as did Geelong AFL star Ollie Henry, who was left in agony after a heavy collision with a Richmond player.