Dave Taylor. One of rugby league's most enigmatic characters. He was always too much man for you to take.
It was always going to end at some point, but the moment still hurts. It has been confirmed that Taylor's professional rugby league career has drawn to a close.
It's the rugby league story brought to life from pub yarns around the country. Taylor was born in Rockhampton, grew up in the central Queensland town of Blackwater, and played junior footy for the aptly-named Crushers.
Blackwater is a coal mining town, and considering his size, there's little doubt where Taylor earned the 'Coal Train' moniker.
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He attended St. Brendan's College in Yeppoon and represented Australia at schoolboy level. The 30-year-old made 207 first grade appearances across an 11-year playing career.
After debuting for the Broncos as a teenager, he also ran out for the Rabbitohs, Titans, Raiders and even Catalans Dragons.
Such was his burgeoning status in the game that he managed eight caps for the Maroons, his last coming in a happy win at Suncorp Stadium despite Queensland losing the 2014 series.
He also made his one and only appearance for the Kangaroos in the Anzac Test in 2012, and made two appearances off the bench for Central Queensland Capras this season.
Sometimes the best careers earn the great fairytales, while others poke along, play and play, and whittle away. Place Taylor in any echelon you like - however, such was his impact, that his cult hero status in the game is undeniable.
After what would prove to be his final stint in the NRL, in Canberra two years ago, Taylor was released by Toronto Wolfpack for breaking curfew twice at a pre-season camp.
Keeping above water while in the nation's captial, Taylor worked in a hotel part-time. After moving back to Queensland to join the Capras, he was employed by team sponsor JRT, a civil construction company.
Many have given their two cents worth on Taylor. His former Maroons coach Mal Meninga once said he never reached his potential because he "doesn't take great interest in the game".
Others were happy to poke fun at his weight gain post-NRL career, and it landed the now-dead NRL Footy Show in hot water for alleged 'fat-shaming'. The Broncos even banned him from drinking protein shakes because he was bulking up too much.
Taylor was also engulfed in a cocaine possession scandal prior to his Raiders stint, which - coupled with the stress of the charges and media coverage - his defence solicitor said had caused his marriage to break down, while he had lost 80 per cent of his earnings and suffered damage to his reputation.
All the best in retirement Raider no. 344 Dave Taylor!#WeAreRaiders #CoalTrain pic.twitter.com/dhSltnmQB9
— Canberra Raiders (@RaidersCanberra) June 19, 2019
Regardless, Taylor left a big impression on the game and his teammates over the years. Everyone has their memories of Dave.
Two years ago, former housemate Andrew McCullough reflected on the Taylor the game fell in love with.
"Dave's favourite meal for a while was a full loaf of bread, a full chook and a bottle of tomato sauce and whenever he finished the chicken bones he used to put them down the side of the couch," McCullough said.
"You can imagine what Dave was like as a housemate."
Capras boss David Faiumu paid tribute to the outgoing wrecking ball's long list of achievements.
"It is quite sad that we may have seen the last of Dave at this level,” Faiumu said.
"He has been a professional footballer now for over 12 years and reached some wonderful heights. No doubt his body has taken a lot of punishment during this time, and niggling injuries have plagued him over the past six months in particular."
