TAYLOR AT HOME WITH THE TITANS
ASH Taylor is the first player to make this list who didn’t grow up playing on the Gold Coast or Northern Rivers region, and with good reason.
While Ryan James has again been entrusted with the Titans captaincy, there’s no two ways about it – Taylor is now the face of the club.
The halfback this month turns 23 but is already locked in until 2021 on a mega-rich deal. Until pen was put to paper, fans were sweating with nerves at the prospect of losing the player that has been a shining light since heading down the M1 two years ago.
Taylor is the centrepiece of the Titans’ attack.
In an often badly beaten side, he led the NRL last year for try assists – many of which came from his pinpoint kicks.
If his start to the season is strong enough, Taylor could even replace his idol, Cowboys great Johnathan Thurston, at State of Origin level for Queensland.
Still with only 47 first grade games to his name, Taylor is only going to get better as the marquee player to orchestrate Gold Coast’s premiership resurgence.