Wednesday afternoon's count at Crown in Melbourne was the closest since the prestigious award for the game's best young player was introduced in 1993.
Taylor was one of the bright lights for the Lions this season, making his debut in round one and playing every match.
He was one of only two nominated players (Sydney Swans Harry Cunningham was the other) and one of only three Lion players to play every match this season. Taylor averaged 84 per cent of playing time.
Of the 23 nominees, Taylor had the most disposals (371), the third-most score involvements (86) and fifth-most contested possessions (109).
Taylor averaged 17 disposals, five contested and 12 uncontested possessions, four marks, two inside 50s and two tackles. He kicked 12 goals.
He was nominated for the NAB AFL Rising Star in round nine after an impressive performance against North Melbourne. He collected 20 disposals, took eight marks and registered three tackles in that match, a loss.
Taylor was selection no.28 in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft. He played junior football for Terang-Mortlake in western Victoria and the Geelong Falcons.
He captained Vic Country in the 2013 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and was named in the 2013 Under-18 All-Australian team. He was a member of the 2012 AIS-AFL Academy level two squad.
Taylor is the fourth Brisbane player to win the Rising Star. Chris Scott was the inaugural winner, Nathan Buckley took the prize in 1994 and Daniel Rich won it in 2009.
Taylor receives the Ron Evans Medal and a $20,000 investment portfolio courtesy of National Australia Bank.
2014 NAB AFL Rising Star
| Player | Team | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis Taylor | BL | 39 |
| Marcus Bontempelli | WB | 38 |
| Luke McDonald | NM | 32 |
| James Aish | BL | 19 |
| Kade Kolodjashnij | GC | 7 |
| Luke Dunstan | STK | 5 |
| Tom Langdon | COLL | 5 |
| Harry Cunningham | SYD | 3 |
| Josh Kelly | GWS | 1 |
| Jarman Impey | PORT | 1 |
The selectors' votes were as follows:
Gillon McLachlan
5 – Lewis Taylor
4 – Marcus Bontempelli
3 – Luke McDonald
2 – James Aish
1 – Harry Cunningham
Mark Evans
5 – Lewis Taylor
4 – Marcus Bontempelli
3 – James Aish
2 – Luke Dunstan
1 – Harry Cunningham
Danny Frawley
5 – Lewis Taylor
4 – Marcus Bontempelli
3 – Luke McDonald
2 – Kade Kolodjashnij
1 – Harry Cunningham
Warren Tredrea
5 – Luke McDonald
4 – Marcus Bontempelli
3 – Lewis Taylor
2 – Kade Kolodjashnij
1 – Jarman Impey
Glen Jakovich
5 – Lewis Taylor
4 – James Aish
3 – Marcus Bontempelli
2 – Luke McDonald
1 – Luke Dunstan
Cameron Ling
5 – James Aish
4 – Luke McDonald
3 – Tom Langdon
2 – Marcus Bontempelli
1 – Luke Dunstan
Luke Darcy
5 – Marcus Bontempelli
4 – Luke McDonald
3 – Lewis Taylor
2 – Kade Kolodjashnij
1 – James Aish
Matthew Richardson
5 – Lewis Taylor
4 – Marcus Bontempelli
3 – Luke McDonald
2 – James Aish
1 – Josh Kelly
Kevin Bartlett
5 – Luke McDonald
4 – Lewis Taylor
3 – Marcus Bontempelli
2 – James Aish
1 – Luke Dunstan
Kevin Sheehan
5 – Marcus Bontempelli
4 – Lewis Taylor
3 – Luke McDonald
2 – Tom Langdon
1 – Kade Kolodjashnij
NAB AFL Rising Star winners: 1993-present
| Year | Player | Club | Votes | Recruited from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Lewis Taylor | BL | 39 | Terang-Mortlake (Vic) |
| 2013 | Jaeger O'Meara | GCFC | 44 | Perth (WA) |
| 2012 | Daniel Talia | ADEL | 43 | Calder Cannons (VIC) |
| 2011 | Dyson Heppell | ESS | 44 | Gippsland Power (VIC) |
| 2010 | Daniel Hannebery | SYD | 45 | Kew (VIC) |
| 2009 | Daniel Rich | BL | 45 | Subiaco (WA) |
| 2008 | Rhys Palmer | FRE | 44 | East Fremantle (WA) |
| 2007 | Joel Selwood | GEEL | 44 | Bendigo U18 |
| 2006 | Danyle Pearce | PORT | 43 | Sturt (SA) |
| 2005 | Brett Deledio | RICH | 43 | Kyabram/ Murray U18 |
| 2004 | Jared Rivers | MELB | 45 | North Adelaide (SA) |
| 2003 | Sam Mitchell | HAW | 33 | Mooroolbark/ Eastern U18 |
| 2002 | Nick Riewoldt | STK | 34 | Southport (Qld) |
| 2001 | Justin Koschitzke | STK | 31 | Albury (NSW)/ Murray U18 |
| 2000 | Paul Hasleby | FRE | 33 | East Fremantle (WA) |
| 1999 | Adam Goodes | SYD | 33 | Horsham/ North Ballarat U18 |
| 1998 | Byron Pickett | NMFC | 30 | Port Adelaide (SANFL) |
| 1997 | Michael Wilson | PORT | 27 | Port Adelaide (SANFL) |
| 1996 | Ben Cousins | WCE | - | East Fremantle (WA) |
| 1995 | Nick Holland | HAW | - | North Adelaide (SA) |
| 1994 | Chris Scott | BL | - | Eastern U18 |
| 1993 | Nathan Buckley | BL | - | Port Adelaide (SANFL) |
