How a simple footy club tradition gave a special teen a new lease of life

Living with autism and ADHD can be isolating enough. But when bullying at school enters the picture, life can become unbearable.

For Peter Taylor, that was his reality — until a local footy club changed everything.

Peter doesn't play the game. He never needed to. The 17-year-old is now the beating heart of the Keilor Football Club in Melbourne's northwest, known affectionately as the club's "cookie man".

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"I feel like I'm part of the team. I feel like I'm part of the extended family," Peter told A Current Affair.

Peter left school at 13 and sank into a deep depression.

"He didn't even want to get out of bed," father Malcolm Taylor said.

"He just had no will. Pretty much, it's like he was dead inside."

Then, seven years ago, Peter's cousin invited the Taylors down to a Keilor game. The family thought they were just going to watch — but the club had other plans.

The team is coached by Collingwood premiership player turned local legend, Mick McGuane.

McGuane saw something in Peter and took him under his wing. The club embraced him too — not just as a supporter, but as an important part of its inner workings.

Thanks to this footy club getting around Pete, he began selecting the top three players each week, presenting each one with a packet of his mum's homemade biscuits.

Pete's cookie reward quickly became a cherished tradition.

"He's here from 9:30 in the morning giving out his last biscuit at five o'clock on a Saturday night. He takes responsibility now. It means the world to him," said McGuane.

It's more than just a weekly treat. It's a symbol of belonging — and for Pete and his family, it's been life-changing.

Peter puts it best: "Like a good book. They've read me, understood me… knew how to get me out of my shell."

Watch the video in the player above for more.