Blindside: ‘Coal Train’ Dave Taylor carrying too much freight
IT’S a tragic look for a supremely-gifted footballing talent. Dave Taylor is still only 29 and could easily be playing Origin football, but instead he is sporting an unathletic new look as he plies his trade in the Intrust Super Cup.
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IT is one of the saddest sights in rugby league.
The Coal Train has gone off the rails. Former Origin and Test star Dave Taylor’s weight has spiralled out of control.
Taylor made his Intrust Super Cup debut for the Central Queensland Capras last Saturday night but the main talking point was his waistline.
In just six weeks at the Capras, Taylor has blown out badly. We don’t have exact figures but it is believed Taylor, who played at around 120kg in the NRL, is now in excess of 130kg.
It’s a tragic look for a supremely-gifted footballing talent. Taylor is still only 29 and could easily be playing Origin football if he was dedicated to his craft.
Taylor has always waged a battle with the bulge.
During his time at the Broncos in 2009, Taylor was banned from drinking protein shakes to prevent him bulking up. But he has clearly let himself go and appears content to be plodding along at the Capras.
Despite his fitness, Taylor showcased his talent by running for 179m in the Capras’ first match against Easts Tigers last weekend.
He is working in civil construction in Rockhampton and getting on with life following the breakup of his marriage and a stint in the Super League.
STORM YOUNG GUN IN STRIFE
FIRST it was Cameron Munster. Now another Storm young gun Brandon Smith is in the bad books at Melbourne.
Blindside understands Smith has been slapped with a secret, in-house NRL ban by coach Craig Bellamy amid concerns over his attitude in pre-season.
The Kiwi sensation is being groomed to succeed Cameron Smith but the hype appears to have gone to his head. Bellamy doesn’t tolerate big heads and won’t be picking Smith in first grade until he improves his professionalism.
JT ORIGIN COMEBACK QUASHED
IT’s official — Johnathan Thurston will NOT produce an Allan Langer-style comeback to State of Origin this season.
Rumours sweeping league circles during the week suggested the Cowboys were looking to sign Todd Carney as insurance in the event Thurston decides to play one more series with the Maroons this year.
But Cowboys insiders insist Thurston’s Origin career is over.
When Thurston signed one last 12-month extension last year, he came to a verbal agreement with Cowboys football-operations chief Peter Parr that he would not play Origin in 2018.
A man of his word, Thurston will not renege on the deal.
COOTE ON WAY OUT FOR COWBOYS?
BEN Hampton is on his way to becoming North Queensland’s first choice No.1.
Hampton did some promising things in his debut at fullback for the Cowboys last week and will get another shot at the role in tonight’s derby at Suncorp Stadium.
If he fires again, there is no guarantee Lachlan Coote will return in his favoured position when he overcomes a hamstring injury.
The whispers from Townsville about Coote’s future are getting louder and if Hampton continues to improve, then the premiership-winning Coote may be on the hunt for a new club.
The Gold Coast Titans have been mentioned as a possible new home for Coote.
PLAYING STOCKS: RISING
Herman Ese’ese
The Broncos must be kicking themselves for letting him go. The monster prop charged for 171m in his Newcastle debut last week. The Knights have finally found a front-row enforcer.
Tevita Pangai Jr
Won Brisbane’s players’ player award for his energetic effort in the Dragons debacle. The tearaway prop must now step up against the Cowboys’ big boppers tonight at Suncorp.
Ash Taylor
The Titans halfback won the coaches’ award after producing four try-assists in the Gold Coast’s thrilling comeback win against the Raiders in Round 1.
Kalyn Ponga
Newcastle’s $3.6 million man delivered in his first appearance for the Knights. Ponga was not only electric with the ball but incredibly brave in defence, proving he has all the attributes.
PLAYING STOCKS: FALLING
Todd Carney
The Cowboys should give themselves an uppercut for wanting to sign Carney. He was ordinary for the Northern Pride last week and is light years away from the attacking dynamo who won the Dally M Medal in 2010.
Jake Friend
The Roosters hooker tackles his heart out but it’s coming at the expense of his creative guile around the rucks. He has drifted well off the Queensland Origin radar.
Valentine Holmes
The Maroons flyer has been dumped from the Sharks fullback duties after just one error-riddled match. Holmes has a lot of work to do before he is a No. 1 star.
Jaydn Su’A
The Broncos young gun had a golden opportunity to cement a regular spot in the NRL but blew it with a stupid shoulder charge when the Dragons game was already lost.
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Christian Welch has opened up on the debilitating injuries that forced him into retirement, while Melbourne have presented the NRL with a bulging medical report as they attempt to free up his $600,000 salary.
Revealed: PVL’s $320m demands that will seal Bears’ NRL return
There were fears the NRL’s Perth expansion deal was on the brink of collapse. But Peter V’landys is confident the WA Government will make good on three key ARLC requests.