Warriors confirm meeting with Ash Taylor as club looks to build depth for 2022
David Long 05:00, Sep 19 2021
CHRIS HYDE/GETTY IMAGES
Ash Taylor is looking for a new club after being told he was no longer wanted by the Titans.
Warriors CEO Cameron George has confirmed that the club has had a meeting with playmaker Ash Taylor.
With Taylor’s $1 million a season contract at the Titans completed, the 26-year-old is looking for a new club, with the Titans ruling out offering him another deal.
It was reported in Australia that Taylor was spotted having a meeting with George and Warriors coach
Nathan Brown on the Gold Coast on Thursday.
George confirmed to Stuff that he did meet Taylor, who was once heralded a player set to become one of the biggest stars in the NRL.
“We met with Ash. We’re here on the Gold Coast and he’s here and is looking for options for next year and we’re looking for options as well to build our depth,” George said.
“We decided to sit down to have a chat with him and it was good to have a chat and get to know him, he’s a good kid.”
The Warriors are in the market for someone who can play in the halves, joining
Chanel Harris-Tavita and
Shaun Johnson in next year’s squad.
It’s looking increasingly likely Sean O’Sullivan won’t be with the Warriors next year, but by getting someone like Taylor changes the landscape, as he would be seen as someone vying for a starting spot, rather than a quality back up.
“We haven’t signed Sean O’Sullivan and we’re looking for the best option for our footy club,” George said.
“Ash hasn’t signed for anywhere next year. He’s a kid that’s got talent and we wanted to sit down and have a chat with him, understand where he’s at.
“Paul
Turner has gone, Sean is going, we’ve got Chanel who’s a big part of our future and we’ve also got
Shaun Johnson, but it’s about building some depth as well.”
Taylor would have to take a drastic pay cut to join the Warriors, although there wouldn’t be any NRL club willing to match his previous deal.
The Warriors do have some space inside their salary cap for next year, but even if they get Taylor in a cut price deal, it would take up a fair chunk of what’s left.
But like Anthony Milford, who is moving from the Broncos to the Rabbitohs next year, Taylor will have to be willing to pick up a contract for around $250,000 to rebuild his career.
“That’s up to Ash,” George said.
“We haven’t got to that point at all. But the reality is we’re in Queensland for one year and it may well suit all parties.
“It could be one of the advantages about being based locally. But we haven’t got as far as looking at money.
“We just wanted to meet him because we’re on the Coast and he’s on the Coast. I’m glad we did meet him, because he’s a good kid.”
The Raiders, Bulldogs and Tigers have also been linked to Taylor. But if he does do a deal with Warriors it will put pressure on
Chanel Harris-Tavita to keep his starting spot, while push
Kodi Nikorima further towards a No 14 role next year.
“You’ve got Kodi, Chanel,
Shaun Johnson,” George said.
“If we can find the right option and I’m not saying Ash is. But if we can find the right option to add depth and create a more competitive environment around those key roles, that’s going to breed success for our footy club and that’s what we’re here to do.
“We’re not looking after anyone, we’re trying to build a really competitive unit where every player, every day, is looking over their shoulder to make sure they’re doing what they need to do to keep their starting position.”
Warriors CEO Cameron George says it might suit all parties for Ash Taylor to join the club next season.
i.stuff.co.nz
Confirmation that SOS is gone and they had a chat to AT.
