AFL rookie Elijah Taylor, sacked by the Swans for girlfriend assault, is banned for 2021 Premiership

Fallen AFL rookie who was fined $5,000 and had his Sydney Swans contract ripped up after assaulting his ex-girlfriend in a hotel room is banned from playing footy for a year

  • Sydney Swans’ rookie Elijah Taylor assaulted Lekahni Pearce in September 2020
  • He was fined $5000 in WA Court and sacked by the Swans in November
  • Banned from AFL Premiership for 2021 season, can play state league in June
  • Taylor can also play reserves from May 15, two weeks after his 20th birthday

Sacked footy star Elijah Taylor has been banned from playing in the AFL in 2021 following his conviction for assaulting his girlfriend.

Taylor, 19, was fined $5,000 in the Perth Magistrates Court and had his Sydney Swans contract torn up after pleading guilty to assaulting his then-girlfriend Lekahni Pearce last September.

He repeatedly punched Ms Pearce and hit her on the back with a belt during the assault.

The AFL has now banned him from playing at the sport’s top level for the remainder of the 2021 season – although he can play at a reserve or second-team grade from May 15.

‘Violence against women in any form is abhorrent and we strongly condemn it,’ said Andrew Dillon, the AFL’s Executive General Manager Game Development in a statement.

Young footy star Elijah Taylor cannot play for any AFL Premiership team in 2021, but he can play in the reserves if he signs up for an ‘approved educational and monitoring program’

Elijah Taylor's ex girlfriend Lekahni Pearce, whom Taylor pleaded guilty to assaulting last September

Elijah Taylor’s ex girlfriend Lekahni Pearce, whom Taylor pleaded guilty to assaulting last September

Mr Dillon said the penalty imposed ‘reflect the seriousness of Taylor’s breach of the AFL Rules and values’ – but he pointed to a way back to the top for the rookie. 

‘There is a pathway for Taylor’s return to football in time, reflecting his contrition and the ongoing positive effects of his participation in a football program.’

In addition to being banned from playing for any team in the 2021 AFL Premiership season, he cannot play for any state or even community AFL competition before 1 June.

‘But [he is] permitted to play in reserves/second team level on and from 15 May 2021.’

Taylor turns 20 on May 1. 

But in order to play again in May, Taylor would have to ‘participate in and complete an approved educational and monitoring program’ before playing any competitive match.

Taylor assaulted Ms Pearce on September 13, 2020 and was immediately stood down by the Swans before being sacked. 

Elijah Taylor has been banned from the 2021 Premiership season but also handed a lifeline by a wary AFL

Elijah Taylor has been banned from the 2021 Premiership season but also handed a lifeline by a wary AFL

He was already under suspension by the Swans after sneaking Ms Pearce into the Swans’ AFL quarantine hub at Perth’s Joondalup Resort in August.

Taylor, who is the nephew of former AFL star turned Channel Seven commentator Brian Taylor, played four games for the Swans in 2020 after being drafted from Western Australia.

He made his AFL debut in the Swans’ loss to the Gold Coast Suns at the SCG.