The Sydney Swans have sacked troubled youngster Elijah Taylor

The Sydney Swans have sacked Elijah Taylor, who has been stood down by the club since mid-September after being charged with aggravated assault by police in Western Australia.

Taylor, 19, is due in court this week after pleading guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court to aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm in September, arising from an incident at a Perth hotel that month.

He had already been banned for the season after he broke AFL and WA government protocols by sneaking his then-girlfriend into the club‘s quarantine hub in Joondalup.

The Swans said the decision to part ways with Taylor was reached by them in conjunction with the AFL, Taylor’s management and AFLPA.

“The situation Elijah and the club has found itself in is deeply regrettable. Elijah has made some very poor decisions which have led us to this point, and he acknowledges that,” Swans football boss Charlie Gardiner said in a club statement.

“This is certainly not a position we have arrived at lightly; however, Elijah’s actions could not be reconciled.

“It is obviously a sensitive situation and a legal process is still to play out, but in working with Elijah and his management, our collective view was that the right call for both Elijah and the club is to part ways. We have also consulted with the AFLPA and appreciate the support James Gallagher and his team has provided during the process.

“This has been an incredibly difficult situation for Elijah, his family, and those involved. We are keen to see Elijah receive ongoing education and support in the hope that he can mature and learn from this experience, make better decisions in the future, and take steps towards rebuilding his career.”

Taylor, who was recruited to Sydney with pick 36 in the 2019 AFL Draft, played four games for the club after making this debut in Round 7 against the Gold Coast Suns.

The Swans will make no further comment out of respect for the ongoing legal process.