TIME FOR WORDS
Titan Kane Elgey lets his actions do the talking but now it’s ...
TITANS halfback Kane Elgey admits it is time he found his voice.
The 21-year-old has taken giant strides since making his NRL debut this season but he accepts a hesitance to bark orders at a pack featuring Origin and Kangaroos veterans must be rectified for the good of the team.
When the Titans have their backs to the wall with a game in the balance, as was the case against premiers South Sydney on the weekend, Elgey and five-eighth Aidan Sezer are the ones who need to take control and “order around” the forwards.
“I’m pretty quiet but I guess that’s just what I’ve got to work on to be able to be that young one who can boss the big boys around,” he said.
“I think it’s about finding a voice for me and Sezer to help the forwards out because obviously fatigue set in … finding a voice is probably the biggest thing.”
The Tugun Seahawks product controversially turned down an offer to train under specialist coach and rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns at Manly early this year, extending his contract with the Gold Coast in April for a further two years.
Elgey believes the Titans would have gone on to beat the Rabbitohs had teammate Lachlan Burr not lost control of the ball over the line for a try that would have set up Sezer for a conversion to draw the scores level late at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.
“There are a lot of positives as well but I guess control of the ball probably hurt us late,” he said.
“Every week I’m learning … I’ve got to take responsibility in those times.”
The rookie playmaker is likely to face off against 2014 Dally M Rookie of the Year Luke Brooks when the Gold Coast take on the Wests Tigers in Sydney on Friday.
Elgey remembers taking on the highly regarded half in the under-20s competition two years ago and says he has no doubt Brooks will be a danger when the two sides meet.
“We actually matched them that time we played them,” said Elgey (pictured).
“He played a pretty big part in their win from what I can remember.
“He’s got a good showand-go so I think it’s up to our inside to work hard.
“We’ve just got to put early pressure on him – kick pressure especially – but he’s a good player, he’s going to be hard to handle.”