‘Mum lost her soulmate’: The tragic death driving premiership hero’s new mission

Taylor Smith’s grief over her father’s sudden death has become a powerful force shaping her career and personal life. The 26-year-old AFLW player, who recently joined the Sydney Swans, spoke publicly about how losing her father, Shaun, to a heart attack at 52 five years ago changed her perspective on life and ambition. The emotional weight of his passing continues to influence her decisions, including her decision to switch clubs and take on a new challenge in the sport. Shaun died just six months after Taylor helped the Brisbane Lions win their first AFLW premiership. The tragedy struck during a period when the family was enjoying a sense of normalcy and happiness. Taylor remembers the moments of joy, weekends spent on jet skis and wine tours, with her parents, which were abruptly ended by Shaun’s death. His passing left a deep impact on the entire family, particularly on her mother, who described him as her soulmate. The loss also affected Taylor’s grandparents, who mourned the death of their son. The grieving process has been ongoing for Taylor and her family. She describes it as a fluctuating journey filled with unexpected waves of emotion. At times, she reflects on the past, looking at old photos or memories, and the reality of her father’s absence hits her hard. The emotional toll extended beyond her immediate family, affecting her brother and the broader network of relatives who shared in the sorrow. After playing 76 games for the Brisbane Lions, Taylor transitioned to the Sydney Swans, where she made an immediate impact. On her club debut against the Adelaide Crows, she kicked a game-high three goals, helping secure an eight-point victory. Her mother attended the match, and Taylor laughed about how her mother enjoyed watching the highlights and sharing the excitement of her daughter’s performance. Shaun, a devoted Brisbane supporter, was someone Taylor always aimed to impress. Despite his loyalty to the Brisbane Lions, she believes he would have supported the Swans now. She imagines him cheering for her team, appreciating the growth and challenges she has embraced since joining the club. “He’d understand the risk I’ve taken and the steps I’ve made to evolve as a person,” she says. The loss of her father also sparked a renewed sense of purpose in Taylor’s life. She credits the experience with giving her a clearer understanding of the fragility of time. She recalls how her father often talked about traveling to Japan and going skiing, dreams that remained unfulfilled due to his untimely death. This realization pushed her to pursue her own ambitions fully, living each moment to the fullest. Taylor is using her story to raise awareness about heart disease, a leading cause of death in Australia. She is participating in a Heart Foundation campaign called We’re All In, which aims to fund research into cardiovascular health. The initiative highlights the alarming statistic that nearly 70% of Australians do not consider heart disease a relevant concern at their current stage of life. The foundation reports that heart disease claims approximately 115 lives daily in the country. Despite the emotional burden of reliving her father’s passing, Taylor finds strength in her mission. She recalls filming the campaign with a sense of determination, but the following day, the reality of her loss overwhelmed her. “I just crashed and burned because the reality of saying ‘I lost my dad to a heart attack’ multiplied.”