Taylor’s opportunity to show the Titans what they’re missing
ASH Taylor lost his confidence and self-belief after being crushed by the pressure and expectation of his infamous $3m contract at the Gold Coast.
Taylor will add another chapter to his turbulent NRL career when he makes his debut for the Warriors against the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.
It will be a fascinating afternoon at his old stomping ground for Taylor, who played 114 NRL matches for the
Titans over six seasons before being dropped as the Gold Coast headed for a drought-breaking finals appearance last year.
After pocketing $1m-a-season during his last three years at the club, Taylor wasn’t offered a contract extension as coach Justin Holbrook put his faith in Toby Sexton and AJ Brimson for 2022 and beyond.
Nor did he get a farewell game, with Holbrook dropping Taylor late in the season before the Titans finally announced after their playoffs exit to the Roosters that he would be departing the club.
Holbrook defended the Titans’ handling of Taylor’s future and said he hoped the former Broncos junior could reinvigorate his career with the Warriors.
“As a club, we’re happy for Ash to be getting another opportunity,” he said. “We all like him and he’s a very good NRL player. We know what he’s capable of and that’s the danger of him playing his old club. He’s got a great kicking game, passing game and defends well.
“Six years is a long time. Not individually against Ash, but as a club we never got to any great heights. That’s why you have to keep looking for opportunities to get better. Sometimes if someone is there for a long time, they need a change as much as we need to change.
“In my time under Ash, I couldn’t have been happier with him.”