Talkin’ Ash’s cashes
Playmaker chases payday as Titans get set to table big offer
THE Gold Coast Titans are formulating a $3 million package to stave off poaching bids for in-demand halfback Ashley Taylor who has emerged as the NRL’s hottest playmaking talent.
Taylor is certain to become the code’s next million-dollar player after already attracting interest from five NRL rivals, including former club Brisbane, despite being contracted to the Titans until the end of next season.
The Titans are preparing a three-year extension for Taylor in the hope of warding off rivals before the Queensland Origin hopeful becomes a free agent for 2019 on November 1 this year.
If Taylor – who has played just 41 NRL games – pledges his allegiance to the Titans on a deal averaging $1 million-aseason, he will be tied up at the Gold Coast until at least 2021.
Taylor, 22, is leading the NRL for try-assists (24) this season, backing up his heroics from last year when he was crowned the Dally M rookie of the year.
With NSW Origin stars Nathan Peats (2020) and Jarryd Hayne (2018) locked up, Titans chief operating officer Tony Mestrov said the club had shifted its focus to retaining Taylor.
“He is definitely a priority for the club,” he said.
“We believe he is a player that can transition the side into a top four team.
“He was a shadow for the Queensland side this year and we think he will play State of Origin in the future.
“He is a priority to keep.” If the Titans want to secure Taylor they will have to get moving.
While NRL rules prevent players from signing with a rival before November 1, Taylor has already generated significant interest from cashedup clubs desperate to land a quality shot-caller.
The Titans have held initial talks with Taylor’s new management group, Black Money Enterprises, but are yet to make a submission.
“No formal offers have come through,” Taylor’s manager Warrick Wright said.
“A player like Ash has attracted enormous interest from other clubs but we haven’t gone down that path yet.
“We are happy to talk to the Titans. We will see what happens over the next couple of weeks.”
Clouding the Taylor situation is five-eighth Tyrone Roberts’ public pay dispute with the Titans.
Roberts rejected a twoyear extension worth $600,000 and claimed the club had “stuffed him around”.
The halves are very close and Taylor revealed in March that Roberts’ future would play a role in his decision.
Kane Elgey was coach Neil Henry’s first-choice No. 6 but Taylor and Roberts piloted the Titans into last year’s finals series and have won three of four games alongside each other this season.