While Perth’s Matthew Taylor may be in the back half of his career, it’s hard to deny the stalwart’s strong start to season 2026.

Taylor is averaging a blistering 26 touches per game to begin the season, playing a key role in a stacked Demons backline alongside the likes of former Collingwood Magpie Charlie Dean and rising star Elijah Scoble.

And while the veteran’s 11-year and 148-game WAFL career has seen little team success at Lathlain - making finals in just 2020 and 2025 - he says this may be the best Demons side he’s ever been a part of and that it’s “just a matter of putting things together.”

“On paper this is the best side that I’ve played amongst we’ve just got to put it all together out there on the field,” he told The West Australian following the sides win over East Fremantle on Saturday.

“Definitely got some quality names: (Charlie) Constable, (Brandan) Parfitt, (Corey) Byrne, Aaron Clarke, hopefully big (Blake) Schlensog coming back in sometime soon.”

Taylor also credited his strong start to a couple of his teammates down back.

“Playing some reasonable footy down there, it helps having the likes of Charlie Dean and Elijah (Scoble) intercept marking and then I can sort of read it off them and get a few handball receives. That’s probably my go,” he said.

And as game 150 beckons, the 29-year-old said he was looking forward to the bye later this month.

“The Silver Fox is actually feeling a little bit sore, to be honest, five rounds in,” he said.

“Looking forward to the bye in a couple of weeks and hopefully freshen up before the possible 150th.”

Taylor (25 disposals, eight marks) was yet again one of the Demons’ best on Saturday afternoon as they stormed home for a five-goal victory over East Fremantle in an elimination final rematch.

He said coach Mark Stone put the challenge on the group following a poor first half.

“A few less numbers here (on Saturday) in regards to the crowd, but Stoney (Mark Stone) put the test on us,” he said.

“We probably failed in the first half but we came out strong that third quarter. A few turnovers in the fourth early, possibly myself as well, but the boys really responded late in that fourth quarter.

“I think the third quarter really set the tone going into that second half.”

The Red Legs will now look ahead, where the challenge of an undefeated Claremont side awaits them this Saturday.

“They’re going really well, so that’ll be a massive challenge,” he said.

“I don’t know how they went today but they’re undefeated for their first four games, so it’ll be a massive test and hopefully the boys are up to it.

“Hopefully get one or two back as well. So looking forward to it.”