Big Dave Taylor was expecting to cop it from NSW. Instead he got a second serving from Queensland State of Origin legend Gordon Tallis.

Former Brisbane, Queensland and Australian firebrand Tallis had foreshadowed Taylor's Origin axing during an interview with AAP in Perth last week, suggesting he wasn't fit or in good enough form to warrant a spot in the Maroons 17.

And with that confirmed Tallis went back for another shot, saying Queensland's 18th man should stop listening to those telling him what he wanted to hear.

"The people he listens to and takes advice from don't tell him the truth," Tallis told AAP after Taylor, who played all three Origin games last year, was named Queensland's 18th man.

"Wayne Bennett's told him, the Queensland selectors have told him, Johnny Lang has told him, all those guys have told him.

"Shane Webcke has told him, but he hasn't listened.

"Whoever is talking to Dave Taylor and telling him he is going good has to stop it."

At the Queensland team assembly on Tuesday, Taylor said he hadn't read any of Tallis' comments.

"But I've definitely heard about it ... everyone I've walked into has told me about it," he said.

"It's a bit weird but he (Tallis) does give it to you.

"It was kind of left-field stuff where that came from."

Taylor said he wasn't "dirty" on Tallis, who he said had his reasons for making his comments.

"Everybody who knows Gordie knows he speaks his mind," he said.

"You take it (the criticism) on board and try and see where they are coming from."

Taylor's next talk will be delivered by Origin coach and icon Mal Meninga, who sent him a clear message by naming him 18th man.

Meninga said that Taylor knowing he was under consideration but behind a couple of players would be an experience he could learn from.

"We will talk to Dave about some of the qualities that he needs to invest in to get back into the side," Meninga said.

Taylor admits a few below-par performances during the season had contributed to him missing out.

"Mal said he was going to take me aside and chat to me about where I'm at," Taylor said.

"It shows I'm still in the picture.

"Being here makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and makes you even hungrier."

Taylor said his weight "tended to slip" but he was working on being disciplined.

"When some players put on a kilo or two it's no big deal, but because I'm a big guy it gets more attention," said the 120kg-plus Taylor.

"I speak to Langy (Souths coach John Lang) a lot about it. We've been working hard on my discipline and getting my weight right.

"It's a work in progress, it's not going to happen over night."

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