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Timothy Taranto (born 28 January 1998) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played for the Greater Western Sydney Giants from 2017 to 2022. Taranto is a three-time club best and fairest, having won the Kevin Sheedy Medal in 2019 and the Jack Dyer Medal in 2023 and 2025.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]
Taranto playing for Greater Western Sydney in 2018

Taranto was born in Melbourne to an Australian mother and an American father from Texas, and grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Parkdale.[1] His parents separated when he was two and his father returned to the United States, and he was regularly looked after by his maternal grandparents, Paul and Dianne. Taranto attended St Kevin's College in Toorak from the age of ten[2] and played junior football for the Mordialloc-Braeside Junior Football Club.[3] He played TAC Cup football for the Sandringham Dragons and grew up supporting the Melbourne Football Club.[4]

AFL career

[edit]

Greater Western Sydney (2017–2022)

[edit]

Taranto was drafted by Greater Western Sydney with their first selection and second overall in the 2016 national draft.[5] He made his debut in the 56-point loss against Adelaide in the opening round of the 2017 season at Adelaide Oval.[6] Taranto was nominated for the 2017 AFL Rising Star after gathering 21 disposals, laid five tackles and had six score involvements in the Giants' three-point win over Collingwood at Spotless Stadium in round 8, 2017.[7]

Richmond (2023–present)

[edit]

Taranto was traded to Richmond on a seven-year deal at the end of the 2022 AFL season.[8][9] In his first year at the club, Taranto received the Ian Stewart Medal for his best on ground performance with a game-high and equal career-high 38 disposals, game-high 18 contested possessions, game-high 10 tackles, four inside-50s, six clearances and the match-sealing goal against St Kilda during their round 14 clash.[10]

Statistics

[edit]

Updated to the end of round 4, 2026.[11]

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2017 Greater Western Sydney 14 14 7 4 105 110 215 31 54 0.5 0.3 7.5 7.9 15.4 2.2 3.9 0
2018 Greater Western Sydney 14 23 6 14 271 208 479 83 140 0.3 0.6 11.8 9.0 20.8 3.6 6.1 0
2019 Greater Western Sydney 14 26 11 13 431 290 721 121 164 0.4 0.5 16.6 11.2 27.7 4.7 6.3 9
2020[a] Greater Western Sydney 14 11 4 3 132 80 212 30 45 0.4 0.3 12.0 7.3 19.3 2.7 4.1 3
2021 Greater Western Sydney 14 24 13 13 372 265 637 118 127 0.5 0.5 15.5 11.0 26.5 4.9 5.3 15
2022 Greater Western Sydney 14 16 7 7 220 187 407 57 76 0.4 0.4 13.8 11.7 25.4 3.6 4.8 6
2023 Richmond 14 23 19 14 337 325 662 79 154 0.8 0.6 14.7 14.1 28.8 3.4 6.7 19
2024 Richmond 14 15 6 10 185 190 375 53 80 0.4 0.7 12.3 12.7 25.0 3.5 5.3 5
2025 Richmond 14 21 15 5 219 319 538 63 103 0.7 0.2 10.4 15.2 25.6 3.0 4.9 20
2026 Richmond 14 4 2 0 31 68 99 12 27 0.5 0.0 7.8 17.0 24.8 3.0 6.8
Career 177 90 83 2303 2042 4345 647 970 0.5 0.5 13.0 11.5 24.5 3.7 5.5 77

Notes

  1. ^ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Honours and achievements

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Tim Taranto

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Tim Taranto (born 28 January 1998) is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).[1] Drafted by the Greater Western Sydney Giants with the second overall pick in the 2016 AFL National Draft, Taranto grew up in Melbourne's southeast suburbs and developed his skills at St Kevin's College and with the Sandringham Dragons under-18 team.[2][3] His family background includes an American father, Phillip, who lives in Texas, and a mother, Jess, a nurse; Taranto frequently traveled to the United States during his childhood, and his grandfather Paul played a key role in supporting his early football development.[4][5] Taranto made an immediate impact at the Giants, debuting in Round 1 of the 2017 AFL season and earning a nomination for the AFL Rising Star award that year.[2] Over his six seasons with Greater Western Sydney (2017–2022), he established himself as a versatile and athletic midfielder known for his toughness, marking ability, and football IQ, playing 114 games and kicking 48 goals.[2] His standout performance came in 2019, when he won the club's best and fairest award, the Kevin Sheedy Medal, after a season that highlighted his leadership and consistency in the Giants' midfield.[2] In October 2022, Taranto requested and completed a trade to Richmond, signing a seven-year contract in exchange for the Tigers' first- and second-round draft picks (12 and 19).[6] Since joining Richmond ahead of the 2023 season, he has become a cornerstone of the team's engine room, winning the Jack Dyer Medal as the club's best and fairest in both 2023 and 2025—his debut and third seasons with the Tigers, respectively—while accumulating 59 games and 40 goals as of the end of the 2025 season.[7][8] Taranto's career totals stand at 173 games and 88 goals, underscoring his status as one of the AFL's elite midfielders.[1]

Early years

Early life

Tim Taranto was born on 28 January 1998 in Melbourne, Victoria. His mother, Jess, was just 17 years old at the time of his birth and raised him as a single parent after his father, Phillip—an American originally from Texas—returned to the United States when Taranto was a toddler.[9] Jess worked multiple jobs, including at Melbourne Airport, to support her son, while Taranto's grandparents, particularly his maternal grandfather Paul, and other family members provided significant care during her shifts.[9] He has three younger half-brothers—Davis, Hudson, and Griffin—from his father's side, who live in Dallas, Texas, and share an interest in AFL despite the distance.[10] Taranto grew up in Melbourne's bayside suburbs, primarily in Cheltenham and Parkdale, enjoying a childhood centered on family support and outdoor activities.[4] His mother, now a qualified nurse who has earned scholarships for postgraduate research, instilled values of resilience and hard work, often prioritizing his opportunities over her own.[4] Frequent travels to Texas to visit his father exposed him to American culture from a young age, fostering a close bond despite the geographical separation.[11] For his education, Taranto attended local primary schools in the bayside area before completing secondary schooling at St Kevin's College in Toorak, Melbourne, where he finished Year 12 amid the 2016 AFL draft period.[4] Early on, he showed a strong interest in sports beyond football, particularly basketball, playing for the Sandringham Sabres and representing Vic Metro at under-16 and under-18 levels.[12] As a young supporter of the Melbourne Football Club, he balanced these pursuits until transitioning to organized junior football around age 12.[4]

Junior and state football

Taranto began his organised football journey with the Mordialloc-Braeside Junior Football Club in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs, where he honed his skills in local junior competitions while growing up in the nearby Parkdale area. His early talent was evident, earning him recognition as a standout performer at the club before transitioning to higher-level representative pathways.[5][13] In 2015, as a bottom-ager, Taranto joined the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup under-18 competition, providing him a platform to compete against older players and accelerate his development. By his draft-eligible year in 2016, he had established himself as a core member of the Dragons' midfield, averaging 27 disposals per game across 10 appearances, with a significant portion coming from contested situations. His versatility shone through as both an inside ball-winner and a damaging forward, exemplified by his 31 disposals, 11 tackles, and five inside-50s in the Dragons' TAC Cup grand final victory over Murray, securing the premiership.[3][14][15] Taranto's form earned him selection for Vic Metro at the 2016 AFL Under-18 Championships, where he played a pivotal role in their undefeated Division 1 title win. Operating primarily as a half-forward, he averaged 19 disposals and one goal per game across the carnival, contributing to 38 scoring chains—nine more than any other player—and earning a spot in the All-Australian team for his damaging output and composure under pressure. These representative honors underscored his status as one of the nation's elite prospects.[16][17][18] Regarded as a top-10 draft talent for his combination of endurance, skill, and decision-making, Taranto was selected by Greater Western Sydney with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 AFL National Draft, capping a meteoric rise through the junior ranks.[2][19]

AFL career

Greater Western Sydney (2017–2022)

Taranto made his AFL debut in round 1 of the 2017 season against the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval, where he recorded 13 disposals and two tackles in Greater Western Sydney's 56-point loss.[20] Selected with pick 2 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft, the 19-year-old midfielder impressed during the pre-season JLT Community Series, earning selection for opening round despite limited senior experience.[21] He went on to play 14 games in his debut year, averaging 15.4 disposals and kicking seven goals, while showing versatility across half-forward and midfield roles.[22] In round 8 of 2017, Taranto earned a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination after a standout performance against Collingwood, collecting 21 disposals, five tackles, and six score involvements in the Giants' victory.[23] This recognition highlighted his rapid adaptation to the elite level, though an ankle injury sidelined him for the remainder of the home-and-away season after round 14.[24] Taranto's early promise as a contested ball-winner and decision-maker laid the foundation for his development, transitioning from a forward-flanker to a more prominent midfield presence in subsequent years. By 2018, Taranto had increased his midfield time to 72% of game involvement, up from 52% in his debut season, contributing to a career-high 23 games and an average of 20.8 disposals.[25] His growth continued into 2019, where he became a cornerstone of the Giants' engine room, playing all 26 games and averaging 27.7 disposals, 5.2 clearances, and 6.3 tackles per match.[22] Taranto's consistency peaked with a strong grand final showing against Richmond, where he gathered 30 disposals and seven tackles despite the 89-point defeat, earning him the Kevin Sheedy Medal as the Giants' best and fairest with 222 votes—just two ahead of Jeremy Cameron.[26][27] The 2020 season proved challenging for Taranto, interrupted first by shoulder surgery in March that threatened to sideline him for up to 16 weeks, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the fixture.[28] He returned late in the shortened campaign, managing 11 games with an average of 19.3 disposals and four goals, as the Giants played much of their schedule in Queensland hubs away from home.[22] Taranto later reflected on the difficulties of isolation and disrupted routines, which affected team performance.[29] Taranto rebounded strongly in 2021, playing 24 games and booting 13 goals while averaging 26.5 disposals, including a four-goal haul in a key win over Richmond that helped secure the Giants' finals spot.[22][30] His dual-threat ability—combining midfield grunt with forward pressure—solidified his status as a leader in GWS's engine room. In 2022, he featured in 16 games, averaging 25.4 disposals and five tackles, but midway through the season, Taranto requested a trade to return to Victoria, citing personal reasons and a desire for a fresh challenge.[22][6] Negotiations during the 2022 trade period were protracted, with GWS seeking maximum value for their star midfielder; ultimately, Taranto was traded to Richmond in exchange for the Tigers' first-round pick (No. 12) and second-round pick (No. 19).[6] Over his six seasons with the Giants, Taranto played 114 games and kicked 48 goals, evolving from a promising draftee into one of the competition's elite inside midfielders and leaving as a one-time club champion.[1]

Richmond (2023–present)

Tim Taranto was traded to Richmond from Greater Western Sydney at the end of the 2022 AFL season, with the Giants receiving the Tigers' first-round draft pick (No. 12) and second-round pick (No. 19) in exchange.[6] Taranto signed a seven-year contract with Richmond, positioning him as a key midfield recruit to bolster the club's engine room.[31] In his debut season of 2023, Taranto made an immediate impact, playing 23 games and kicking 19 goals while averaging 28.8 disposals per match.[22] His consistent ball-winning and clearance work were pivotal for a rebuilding Richmond side, culminating in him winning the Jack Dyer Medal as the club's best and fairest player with 68 votes.[32] Taranto's performance also earned him the Ian Stewart Medal for his standout contribution in the Dreamtime at the 'G match against Essendon.[7] Taranto's 2024 campaign was significantly disrupted by injury, as he suffered a fractured wrist during training in April, requiring surgery and sidelining him for an extended period.[33] He managed only 15 games for the season, with reduced output compared to his debut year, including just 5 Brownlow Medal votes.[1] The injury contributed to broader challenges for Richmond's midfield amid the team's struggles under new coach Adem Yze.[34] Taranto staged a strong resurgence in 2025, featuring in 21 games and booting 15 goals while maintaining high disposal rates around his career average.[22] He led the Tigers in Brownlow Medal voting with 20 votes, reflecting his elite consistency across the season.[35] This form saw him claim his second Jack Dyer Medal, polling 47 votes to edge out Nick Vlastuin and join an elite group of multiple winners in club history.[8] By late 2025, Taranto had evolved into a senior leader at Richmond, joining the club's leadership group alongside captain Toby Nankervis, Nathan Broad, Tom Lynch, and Jayden Short.[36] His on-field maturity and off-field influence underscored his growing role in the Tigers' rebuild.[37]

Career statistics and accolades

Playing statistics

Tim Taranto's AFL career statistics reflect his development as a prolific midfielder, with consistent growth in disposals and contested ball involvement across his tenure at Greater Western Sydney and Richmond.[22] The following table summarizes his key performance metrics by season:
YearTeamGamesGoalsDisposalsKicksHandballsMarksTackles
2017GWS1472151051103154
2018GWS23647927120883140
2019GWS2611721431290121164
2020GWS114212132803045
2021GWS2413637372265118127
2022GWS1674072201875776
2023Richmond231966233732579154
2024Richmond1563751851905380
2025Richmond211553821931963103
Career totals (as of end of 2025): 173 games, 88 goals, 4,246 disposals, 2,272 kicks, 1,974 handballs, 635 marks, 943 tackles.[22] Taranto recorded season-high disposals of 38 on multiple occasions, including against Carlton in 2019 and St Kilda in 2023.[22] In 2023, his first full season at Richmond, he averaged 28.8 disposals per game, marking a peak in midfield output.[22] Statistical trends show a steady increase in disposals from 15.4 per game in 2017 to over 25 per game by 2023, followed by a dip to 25.0 per game in 2024 due to a mid-season wrist injury that limited him to 15 appearances.[22][33] His 2025 output rebounded, with handball numbers rising notably to 15.2 per game, emphasizing improved ball-winning in contested situations.[22]

Honours and achievements

Taranto received a nomination for the NAB AFL Rising Star award in round 8 of the 2017 season, becoming the first Greater Western Sydney player to earn the honour that year after recording 21 disposals and seven tackles in a win over Collingwood.[23] This recognition highlighted his rapid transition from draft prospect to key midfielder in his debut AFL campaign. In 2019, Taranto claimed the Kevin Sheedy Medal as the GWS Giants' best and fairest player, finishing with 222 votes to narrowly defeat key forward Jeremy Cameron by two votes.[38] His victory, at just 21 years old, underscored his growing leadership in the midfield during a season that saw the Giants reach the Grand Final. After transferring to Richmond ahead of the 2023 season, Taranto won the Jack Dyer Medal as the club's best and fairest, amassing 68 votes in his first year at the club.[7] He replicated this success in 2025, securing a second Jack Dyer Medal with 47 votes.[39] Taranto polled 20 votes in the 2025 Brownlow Medal count, leading all Richmond players and marking a career-high individual performance amid the team's challenging season.[35] Throughout his time with the GWS Giants from 2017 to 2022, Taranto contributed to the team's finals appearances in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, featuring in multiple elimination and semi-finals as a consistent midfield presence.[40]

References

  1. Tim Taranto | AFL - Richmond Football Club
  2. Tim Taranto | AFL - GWS Giants
  3. Tomorrow's heroes: Tim Taranto, big-game gun - AFL
  4. 20 things about Tim Taranto - Richmond Football Club
  5. Taranto could be 'as good as Fyfe' | AFL Players' Association Limited
  6. Giant gets his wish: Tigers give up first two picks to land Taranto - AFL
  7. Taranto the top Tiger in debut season - Richmond Football Club
  8. Taranto claims second Jack Dyer Medal - Richmond Football Club
  9. A mum's sacrifice that led to Tigerland - Richmond Football Club
  10. Tim Taranto backs Tiger rebuild ahead of clash with his old side
  11. Tim Taranto - TGI Sport
  12. Q&A – Tim Taranto | AFL Players' Association Limited
  13. Tim Taranto | Booking Agent | Talent Roster - MN2S
  14. AFL Draft 2016: Tim Taranto goes from talented junior basketballer ...
  15. Dragons fly to TAC Cup premiership - NAB League - GameDay
  16. Draft prospect Tim Taranto closes in on his 2016 goals - AFL
  17. Draft Prospects: Tim Taranto - Essendon Football Club
  18. Taranto torments WA as Metro win the Under 18 championships
  19. Tim Taranto didn't know that GWS traded up to get him ... - Fox Sports
  20. AFL Tables - Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney - Sun, 26-Mar-2017 2:45 PM (2:15 PM) - Match Stats
  21. Taranto to be Unleashed - GWS Giants
  22. Tim Taranto - Stats - Statistics - AFL Tables
  23. Taranto a Rising Star - GWS Giants
  24. Every 2017 Rising Star nominee fully profiled - AFL
  25. AFL: How Patrick Cripps-like Tim Taranto has helped GWS Giants ...
  26. Grand Final form takes Taranto to Kevin Sheedy Medal - The Age
  27. Your club's 2019 Best and Fairest top 10 - AFL Players Association
  28. Huge blow for GWS with Taranto sidelined - ESPN
  29. Giants 'missing home' and struggling with demands of 2020: Taranto
  30. Yellow and SMACKED: Orange tsunami dumps Tigers' finals hopes
  31. Taranto becomes a Tiger - Richmond Football Club
  32. It's Timmy time: Star recruit takes out Tigers' best and fairest - AFL
  33. Tigers star out for 'extended period' amid growing injury toll - AFL
  34. Tigers' Tim Taranto could miss eight weeks with injury - ESPN
  35. Taranto leads Tigers in 2025 Brownlow - Richmond Football Club
  36. Nankervis to lead Richmond for fourth season
  37. Who's in, who's out? Your club's captains, leadership group for 2025
  38. Taranto a Rising Star - GWS Giants
  39. Taranto Wins Sheedy Medal in Thrilling Count - GWS Giants
  40. Top Tiger joins select group with his second Jack Dyer Medal - AFL
  41. Greater Western Sydney Win-Loss Records - AFL Tables
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