Brian Taylor, a prominent football player and Channel Seven pundit, has charged a reputable umpire of rigging a match in the 1980s so he could profit handsomely from a wager. Known for his storytelling, Taylor, who played 140 games for Richmond and Collingwood between 1980 and 1990, recently recalled his landmark 1986 game in which he scored the game’s 100th goal for the Pies. Taylor stated on his podcast, The Life of Brian, “I’m on 98 goals, I’m two goals away from being the fourth player in Collingwood’s history to kick 100 and I could win the Coleman Medal.
I led out forcefully on my dear friend Danny Frawley in the opening minute of the game, took a massive overhead mark, ran back, and kicked a huge goal to score the game’s 99th.To me, I wonder, How easy is this? However, I had pulled my groin. When quarter time rolled along, Leigh Matthews asked, “What’s wrong?” I mentioned that I had strained my groin, and he insisted that I get off the ground.I said to Leigh, “I’m not f**king coming off the ground, and I’m about to become the fourth player in Collingwood history to kick 100 goals.”
Here, Taylor makes the claim that the umpire cheated to assist him in scoring his 100th goal. “I’m returning to my position when the umpire approaches me. Peter Cameron was the brother-in-law of my vice captain at the time, David Cloke,” stated Taylor. “Brian, stay in front of Frawley; we’ll take care of you; we know what’s wrong with you.” Pete stated. “Peter, thank you so much,” I said. When I step all the way forward, Danny is there, poised to seize me like a large bear. “The ball touches down, a member’s wing was a kick and a half away, and umpire Peter Cameron sounds his whistle.” People in the upfield believed something had occurred downfield, and people in the downfield believed something had occurred upfield.Taylor is awarded a free kick. Frawley was swearing at the officials because he didn’t get close to me, but I managed to get the free kick with 35 out right in front of him.My 100th goal was kicked. “In ten years, you haven’t given me a single free kick,” I said to umpire Peter Cameron as I headed down to have a drink with the officials and the opposing players. You granted me two free kicks in one quarter today; why?””Well, Brian Taylor, to kick 100 goals at the beginning of the year was 80-1, I had $10 on ya,” he remarked.
Social media has recently generated interest in the narrative, but Jay Allen, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at the AFL, thinks it’s just that—a story. “It is a sportsman’s night story that has been embellished, repeated, and heard hundreds of times in various football functions. It is full of fiction, including the allegations you are mentioning.”