At one point in time, young Ashley Taylor was the talk of the town.
His brilliant rookie season forced the Titans and Broncos into a bidding war that saw the former offer a mega-money, long-term contract to pin down their future superstar.
Much has been made of the million-per-season deal. Every performance since has been judged against the eye-watering offer that was tabled and taken.
I think it's fair to say that Taylor has hugely underdelivered. He has failed to live up to the promise he showed in his Rookie of the Year award-winning season.
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Taylor has spent the past two seasons trying to rebuild a career that may become an example of talent and potential wasted.
He's gone from a seven-figure star to largely unwanted, and remains off-contract despite being just one game (for his side) away from the finals series.
I still believe there is a footballer in Taylor. A good one at that. I don't think I'm alone there.
Taylor has a lot to give... but where? Released from the Titans, it certainly won't be there anymore, but there is still a future for the former million-dollar man in the NRL.
We take a look at four options for Ash Taylor in 2022. Where will he play his footy next season? Let us know below.
Ash Taylor is 26. He has over 100 games of NRL on his resume. He was, at one time, an elite level playmaker.
That sure sounds a lot like the list of players who moved to the UK to prove themselves. To re-invent themselves.
We saw Jackson Hastings head over and become a star at Salford and then Wigan. This despite an NRL career that never hit the heights of Taylor's.
Blake Austin and Josh Reynolds kickstarted their careers with a move to England. What's to say Taylor wouldn't head over there and shine?
The salary cap looks as though it will, again, be slashed, while COVID and international travel restrictions will all have to be taken into account, but I have no doubt in the world that Taylor would become a big deal very quickly in the Super League.
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The Tigers looked to have their halves sorted a week ago. Hastings returns to partner either Luke Brooks or Adam Doueihi.
Unfortunately an ACL injury to Doueihi has thrown those plans into complete chaos.
The chat of the Tigers shopping Brooks around just won't go away, with a likely move to the Raiders growing louder and louder.
Regardless of Brooks' future, the Tigers may be forced into signing the Titans half, at least on a one-year deal.
Doueihi won't play until mid-season 2022 at best. Again, there are reports that COVID may delay his surgery and therefore push his return back even further.
Brooks obviously isn't the answer. Perhaps Taylor is. At least in the short term.
They could do far worse.
I'm surprised that the Dragons haven't made a play here. With Corey Norman on his way out of the club, the Dragons look very thin in the halves.
Ben Hunt was enjoying a brilliant season until injury brought his campaign to an abrupt end, but his lack of an obvious partner is worrying.
Norman is out, Bird looks best suited in the centres, while young Sullivan hasn't nailed down a spot.
Talatau Amone looks a real footballer and I'd say leads the race for the six next season. He certainly should based on what he has shown recently.
Ash Taylor won't command a king's ransom so why not bring him on as a back-up option? If he trains well in the off-season he may even become a real first-choice option.
This makes the world of sense. Griffin hasn't delivered during his first season on the recruitment side of things. Or results if I'm being truthful.
Taylor's up side is still very, very high. Worth the shot.
I think the Sharks have their halves for 2022. Hynes will play six or seven with Moylan, Trindall and Metcalf battling it out to fill the other role.
That said, Moylan's contract is one year and despite his incredible and obvious talent, his injury history is a concern.
Trindall has shown some signs of becoming a brilliant playmaker yet is very raw. Metcalf is coming off a wonder run on debut but is hugely untested.
I can absolutely see Craig Fitzgibbon offering Taylor a one or two-year deal as cover. An insurance policy if you will.
The Sharks have a mountain of salary cap space available and signing Taylor on a two-year deal for $200,000 per season could prove good business.
A change of scenery and a secondary playmaking role could provide the kick start he needs to re-ignite, again, what once promised to be a career capable of rep footy.
Let us know below where you think Ash Taylor will play his footy in 2022 and beyond.