Sam Taylor out of Giants’ must-win AFL clash with Blues

All-Australian defender Sam Taylor has been ruled out of GWS’ must-win AFL match against Carlton with a hamstring issue and has been replaced in the side by Toby McMullin.

The news came as a huge blow for the Giants, who must beat the Blues in the last match of the home-and-away season at Marvel Stadium on Sunday to replace the Western Bulldogs in the top eight.

Taylor missed two months with a hamstring injury earlier in the season but had not missed a game since June.

The 24-year-old would have been given the job on Carlton’s star forward Charlie Curnow, who needs two goals to claim a second Coleman Medal.

Curnow has 75 goals to his name this season and trails Taylor Walker by one after the Adelaide veteran kicked nine in his side’s win over West Coast on Saturday night.

Carlton will finish fifth and host an elimination final regardless of their result against GWS.

The Blues will be without skipper Patrick Cripps (soreness) and the inspirational Sam Docherty (calf), but welcome back Adam Cerra, Mitch McGovern and Sam Walsh from injuries.

Sunday’s match will mark the 200-game milestone of GWS veteran Stephen Coniglio.