Former million dollar man Ash Taylor is expected to announce his retirement from the NRL due to chronic hip issues which have plagued the 27-year-old since 2020.
Taylor signed a train-and-trial deal with the Redcliffe-based Warriors in October 2021, before being granted a full contract for the season shortly after.
But in his club debut in round two he re-injured his hip against Gold Coast. Coach Nathan Brown confirmed his departure from the game after the Daily Telegraph reported his retirement before the Warriors clash against Canberra on Saturday.
"He's definitely been struggling ... with his hips and he's been through a number of meetings in the past few weeks," Brown told Fox League.
"Mick's (journalist Michael Carayannis) probably ahead of the game there, he's probably found out probably a touch quicker than anyone would have expected.
"But that's what it looks like it's going to be mate, unfortunately for Ash."
Taylor played 116 games in rugby league's top club competition, entering the NRL and winning the Dally M Rookie of the year in 2016.
He started with Brisbane's under 20's side in 2013, signing a three-year deal with the club before inking a deal with the Titans in 2016 in pursuit of first-grade opportunities.
Over a six-year period, Taylor made 114 appearances for Gold Coast scoring 18 tries and 327 points. He signed a three-year, three-million-dollar deal in 2017 making him one of the highest paid players in the competition.
But in 2020 he had hip surgery after playing 19 games that season, with his contract not renewed a year later after making a further 16 appearances for the Titans.
