A couple of years ago, Ash Taylor looked to have the world at his feet. Talent-wise, he has more than most halves in the NRL and racked up a mountain of try assists.
I've watched four Gold Coast games this season, including last night against the Tigers and their win against Newcastle.
The man is deadset LAZY. All he did was shovel passes out when he had the ball (which was not much for a halfback) and put in the occasional kick. At no point did I think he was going to take on the line or be a danger to it. Tyrone Roberts pretty much did everything with a high workrate (which is the same pattern of play as the other games in which I saw them play together).
He does not even look like a regular halfback. Pretty much every halfback in the NRL is ultrafit. I looked at Luke Brooks from the Tigs (who has half the talent of Taylor) and he is pretty much on the ball all the time with high energy (like most halfbacks in the NRL). Ash looks like he is in holiday mode taking the ball when he feels like it and just shovels it out anyway without particular thought to taking the line on. I'd bet his fitness tests would be the worst for halfbacks in the NRL and by a long way.
At first, I thought it was a strange decision to buy Tyrone Roberts...as he is pretty average. But compared to Brimson (good runner, not a playmakers asshole) and Taylor (no heart), he is pretty much the number one half there and essential to have.
Another factor....Jarryd Hayne. How much of a factor has he been in Taylor's form? Before he arrived at the Gold Coast, Ash Taylor was thriving and the team were playing great footy. Gold Coast truly have not played with any quality consistency since.
He is quickly shaping up to be the next Chris Sandow unless he hits the gym/training track and truly puts in. Gold Coast fans would have to be tearing their hair out with him.
