Warriors confirm meeting with Taylor

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 Gold Coast Titans completed, the 26-year-old is looking for a new club, with the Titans not 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 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.

It’s looking increasingly likely Sean O’Sullivan won’t be with the Warriors next year, but by getting someone like Taylor it changes the landscape, as he would be 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.’’

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 Harris-Tavita to keep his starting spot and push Kodi Nikorima further towards a No 14 role.

‘‘You’ve got Kodi, Chanel, Shaun Johnson,’’ George said.

‘‘. . . 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.’’