Cats TV met with Harry Taylor for this week’s Opposition Breakdown, where he spoke about the Eagles ominous midfielder, Chris Masten.

Taylor knows first hand what Masten is capable of when he’s left to his own devices.

“He’s an elite runner, I was fortunate enough to spend some time in the WAFL with him and I was just amazed with how well he could push him self,” Taylor told Cats TV.

“He was always in the front of our speed tests and our running drills.

“He was also a capable ball winner and he’s taken that into the AFL.”

According to Taylor, Masten has grown into a formidable player that has always known how to find and use the ball, which is how he became 2007’s number three draft pick.

“The last couple of season he’s really increased his possession rate and this year he’s averaging 26.5 disposals a game, which puts him number one at West Coast,” Taylor said.

Taylor says the only way to negate a strong midfielder like Masten is to restrict him from taking off and getting ownership of the ball. The Cats must put the 24-year-old under constant pressure, because he’s too hard to catch once he’s let loose.

“It’s really important that we try and match his elite running and try and keep up with him as much as we can, and not let him get the ball in time and space, because he can use it really well going forward and their forwards are extremely dangerous,” Taylor explains.  

“With a player like him running forward makes it a big challenge for us as defenders.”

Catch the full episode of Opposition Breakdown with Harry Taylor on Cats TV.