Tiger Taylor ready to roar out west
Kiwi utility believes unfancied NRL club could make a run, reports David Long.
Warriors about himself.
‘‘I haven’t started talking yet,’’ he said.
‘‘The body is really good, I’m feeling fresh but we’ll wait and see. If you’re playing good footy these things take care of themselves.’’
Some players like to have their futures sorted out before going into the last year of a contract, but Lillyman says he’s content to wait.
‘‘I’m not one of those people,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m in no rush to get it sorted and it will happen in due course.
‘‘I’ve got to focus on myself, play my role in the team and it will happen from that.’’ WESTS Tigers’ Elijah Taylor says his troubles of 2016 are in the past and he’s back in his happy place for the new season.
The 26-year-old Taylor had a torrid time last year, falling out of favour at the Panthers and he found himself demoted to the reserve grade team.
As Taylor was coming off contract at the end of the season, it appeared his NRL days were numbered and he even contemplated a switch to rugby.
However, the Tigers offered the likeable utility player a lifeline and he went on to play 15 games for the club before being offered a two-year contract at the end of the season.
Taylor admitted that he did it tough during his troubling times under Andrew Griffin last season, which led to him questioning his abilities as a player.
‘‘It definitely damaged my confidence and that’s the biggest thing that can happen to any sportsman,’’ Taylor said.
‘‘Players talk about their confidence being shot and I really felt that last year, but credit to the Wests Tigers coaching staff, they gave me the opportunity to play first grade with them.
‘‘I took it with both hands and I’m really thankful that I’m able to represent the Tigers and play first grade again.’’
According to the TAB, only the Dragons and Knights are bigger outsiders to win the premiership this year.
But with a squad containing players like Luke Brooks, Jamal Idris, Mitchell Moses, David Nofoaluma, James Tedesco and Aaron Woods they have a squad that can match it with anyone else in the NRL and Taylor thinks they could be the dark horses this season.
‘‘Every club at this time of the season has high hopes and aspirations,’’ Taylor said.
‘‘If we stay healthy and can keep our full team on the field we can definitely do anything in this competition.
‘‘But the downfall of most teams is losing your playmakers or fullbacks and that changes the whole dynamics of a team.
‘‘We’ve done all the hard work now, that’s behind us and if we can all stay on the field we can do a lot in this competition.’’
The Hawera-born Taylor has rarely seemed happier than he is heading into a new season at the Tigers. After frustrating times for him at the Warriors and Panthers, he feels he’s found a club that’s the perfect fit for him.
‘‘The age of the squad is a lot younger (than at his previous clubs) so that means there is more enthusiasm, especially at first grade,’’ he said.
‘‘The boys are always keen to turn up for training and they’re always having fun.
‘‘We definitely trained the hardest at the Warriors, but at the Tigers we definitely train smarter. We’re smart with our workloads and how we manage
If we can all stay on the field we can do a lot
injuries and that’s the biggest difference to the Warriors and Panthers.
‘‘Our medical staff look after the players and manage injuries, our physio is the best one I’ve ever had.’’
The main talking point last season at the Tigers was the dumping of club legend Robbie Farah, who has since moved to Souths, to the reserves.
But the 10-test Kiwi said he didn’t feel the situation was as bad as it was being portrayed.
‘‘It was massive news in the papers,’’ Taylor said.
‘‘But when you get to training and you’re inside that bubble, you wouldn’t have thought anything was going on.’’