Wests Tigers veteran Elijah Taylor reveals the reason for his axing

Elijah Taylor captained the Tigers last year but that didn’t stop coach Michael Maguire from sending him to reserve grade last week.

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Wests Tigers veteran Elijah Taylor was given a simple message when axed by coach Michael Maguire - ‘work on your attack’.

Taylor was dumped to Canterbury Cup after just four games this season with Maguire telling the backrower he needed to more with the football.

“It was something I needed,” Taylor said. “The one thing about Madge (Maguire) is he is very honest. He doesn’t beat around the bush.

“He has the CV with the premierships. He knows what he is doing and exactly what he wants from his forwards. He was very clear in what I needed to do.

“I thought I was able to achieve that (in reserve grade). It gave me an opportunity to come back into the team.

“It was quite refreshing. There is no pressure playing reserves. (Canterbury Cup coach) Brett Hodgson has a very good culture in second grade. Playing with a lot of young boys that had enthusiasm it rubs off on you. It was good for me. I enjoyed my footy there.

Wests Tigers backrower Elijah Taylor is back in first grade after a stint in reserve grade. Picture: AAP

“I needed to get more metres in my attack. That was it. It was pretty clear. I appreciated his honesty.”

Taylor had averaged 43.5 running metres to start this year when he played the opening four matches at lock. He made his return off the bench in the NRL in the Tigers win against Gold Coast on Saturday where his eight runs netted 72 metres plus he made a game high 47 tackles.

The axing of Taylor - who captained the Tigers last season - highlighted the hard-line stance of Maguire. Taylor as well as NRL regulars including Dave Nofoaluma and Josh Reynolds have played reserve grade this year while Kiwi veteran Russell Packer was dropped from first grade last week.

Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire. Picture: Getty Images

“If you don’t play to those standards there are consequences,” Taylor said. “It is only good for the club because it helps players compete more at training.

“He said everything else was fine but offensively I needed to make more metres. It was clear and cut.

“I’ve had coaches in the past who would beat around the bush but I appreciate Madge’s honesty.

“There are always things to improve. You never play the perfect game. The coach is happy so I must’ve done something right (on Saturday).”

Originally published as Wests Tigers veteran Elijah Taylor reveals the reason for his axing