Ryley’s out to hold off Taylor
RYLEY Jacks insists he’s on borrowed time while Ash Taylor battles personal issues but the Gold Coast halfback is building a compelling case to keep his million-dollar teammate on the sideline.
Taylor returned to Titans HQ last month after taking 11 days of personal leave and has cut a buoyant figure at training but the club is yet to indicate whether their star playmaker will make himself available for selection.
Jacks is a direct beneficiary of Taylor’s absence and though he’s feeling for his teammate, the former Storm halfback is eager to keep playing with Tyrone Roberts and put a mortgage on Gold Coast’s No.7 jersey, starting with Friday’s trip to Penrith.
“I didn’t feel like we were ever in that (June 29) game against Manly so that was a backwards step but those Broncos and Warriors games (before the Sea Eagles’ loss) I felt like we were controlling the game really well,” Jacks said of his halves combo with Roberts.
“That bye (last weekend) didn’t come at the right time; I wanted to keep playing so hopefully this week we can keep improving that combination.”
Jacks has the backing of teammates AJ Brimson and Nathan Peats, who at fullback and hooker make up the spine with No.6 Roberts.
“Their combination is working well together and when they’re working well together it just flows into my game, you know,” Brimson said of Jacks and Roberts.
“If they’re on the same page, the whole team’s on the same page so the more they play together the better the team’s looking.”
While Peats is eager to see a fully fit Taylor in action, he’s been impressed by Jacks.
“As long as he (Taylor) is ready mentally, we’d love to have him back but I think Ryley’s been doing a really good job as well,” Peats said.
“He’s a calm and relaxed kind of player.”