“Young players coming through shouldn’t have to go through what I’ve been through the last few weeks. It’s been too much for me and my family. I don’t wish that upon anybody. I play the game because I love the game. But that can easily be turned around by being threatened by random people you don’t know. Especially when it’s my family, when it’s abusive and saying I haven’t got the talent, things like that. “It shouldn’t be in the game.” It is why Taylor found the courage to get away and seek help. The pressure of being the main man at the Titans, coupled with off-field issues, brought things to a head. The 24-year-old, with the blessing of the club, spent time with his family in St George as well as working with his uncle in Lightning Ridge. Feeling the heat: Titans star Ash Taylor. Credit:AAP “I just needed to get my head away from footy for a bit,” he said. “A lot of things were going on in the background as to why I wasn’t playing the footy I know I can play.

“It got to the point where I was getting frustrated. There were a few personal issues that needed to be dealt with that were going on in the background as well. It’s an experience no one wants to go through, but I’ve been through it now and got the help I needed. I’m still going to continue to get help, I’m not going to shy away from the fact I’m still not as mentally strong as others. “I want to pass the message on [to others in my situation] and get stronger in the mind.” Few players have dealt with the level of scrutiny applied to Taylor. From the moment the former Broncos playmaker arrived on the glitter strip he was hailed the Titans’ saviour, a State of Origin No.7 in waiting. When the Gold Coast have underperformed, Taylor has been in the firing line, with critics quick to brand him a multimillion-dollar flop. The keyboard warriors haven’t missed him. Or his family. “Being young, you grow up around social media," he said. [But] it’s your choice to read it. “As a person, I can deal with that, but it was more about my family having to go through it. It’s a team sport. You can’t target an individual player to force the win or loss on them. There have to be a lot more people accountable than one person.

“At the moment, it feels like it needs to be me to change it. I’m not throwing anybody under the bus, but I take it as hard as anybody when we’re not winning games. It doesn’t need to be like that. These days there is a lot more pressure being put on you as well. “It was a build up of personal things in my life that I needed to get sorted a lot sooner than what has happened.” There have been suggestions that Taylor wants out of the Titans. That he is off with coach Garth Brennan. Neither could be further from the truth. The Indigenous All Stars half thanked club powerbrokers Brennan, Mal Meninga, Dennis Watt – "he’s been the most influential man I’ve had around since I’ve been at the club" – and welfare officer Peter Smith for giving him the assistance and space he required. “I’m only 24 and have played about 80 games, and have loved every minute of it coming through the ranks, but there seems to be more pressure on you when it’s reported how much money you earn,” Taylor said. “That’s just wrong.” The sabbatical has done Taylor the world of good. He returns to Titans training on Monday with a clear head after spending a week with loved ones in his community.

“I’m back, recharged and ready to go,” he said. “The week away has been good, hanging around with my family and getting the support I need to make sure my mind is right. I’ve been chatting with them, getting more grounded with where I come from. “I want to be back playing my best footy.”