Ash not letting ‘hype’ win out

Taylor says he will not allow speculation over his future to impact on his football as he comes to terms with the fact that he will remain in the spotlight until he signs a new deal.

Taylor was the subject of plenty of talk last week after Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett said he could be interested in luring the half back to the Broncos when his current deal with the Titans finishes at the end of next season.

The rising star is the target of several clubs and understands contract talk is out of his control until he signs his next deal.

But the level-headed 22year-old is refusing to allow the external noise to affect his on-field actions, taking full blame for being below par in the Titans’ 54-0 loss to Brisbane on Saturday.

“I don’t let that stuff get to me,” Taylor said.

“No matter what’s being said in the media, whether it’s me not playing my best, or if I’m playing my best and looking to sign a big contract and stuff, that doesn’t get to my mind.

“I’m more worried about the team and my job with this team. I definitely put my hand up for (Saturday) night, I wasn’t at my best and I’ll admit that.”

Taylor understood he would continue to be in the spotlight until his future was resolved but would not allow that to hurry a deal.

“I’m still signed here next year, that’s the biggest thing and I’ve still got my future solved for next year and I don’t need to rush into anything,” he said. “I just want to play good footy, as I keep saying, and I want to play the best for the Titans that I can, that’s what it comes down to.”

After consecutive poor performances, the Titans are looking forward to getting back on the field against the Dragons on Saturday in an attempt to turn around their form.

But they may be without Taylor, who limped out of Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday night with his left knee supported by a large brace.

“I’ve never done a knee before, so I don’t even know what to expect,” said Taylor, who is believed to have minor medial ligament damage.

“I just got caught. When I passed the ball, someone caught my boot and my knee just buckled a little bit.

“I heard a little crack but that might just be normal.”

Taylor said he received a scare when the injury occurred following a bruising tackle from Broncos forward Adam Blair.

“It was hurting like hell out there,” he said.

“It wasn’t the best time or moment to go off the field, especially when we’re behind on the scoreboard and we need points which we didn’t score the whole game.

“I tried to stay out there but I didn’t really want to let the team down and obviously Tyrone (Roberts) was on the bench and another half that could fill that role, so it was in the best interests of the team for Tyrone to be out there.”

Taylor said it would tough to be able to look his former Broncos teammates in the eye after Saturday’s drubbing.