Broncos rookie Ashley Taylor snubs Manly’s Bob Fulton to sign with Gold Coast Titans
Peter Badel The Courier-Mail
THE Titans have scored a $500,000 coup when Broncos young gun Ashley Taylor rejected overtures from Manly supremo Bob Fulton.
The Junior Kangaroos sensation’s verbal agreement to join the Titans is a major boost for the club before of their derby clash with Taylor’s Broncos on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Taylor was one of the most sought-after youngsters in the code. The Titans, Manly, Cowboys and Dragons all expressed interest in the 20-year-old playmaker.
The Sea Eagles were considered frontrunners to snare Taylor after Fulton ramped-up his strategic plan to pair him with Daly Cherry-Evans, who sensationally reneged on his Titans deal last month.
Instead the Gold Coast have won the race for Taylor. The Toowoomba product told the Titans he wants to remain close to family and the parties will settle financial terms in the coming days.
Taylor is one of rugby league’s most highly rated talents.
The Titans initially tabled a two-year deal but are prepared to offer a third season to secure Taylor until the end of 2018.
The acquisition of Taylor helps ease the pain over the loss of Cherry-Evans, whose defection left Titans coach Neil Henry scrambling for a viable playmaking replacement.
Fulton has a high opinion of Taylor and viewed Cherry-Evans as a handy mentor but the Sea Eagles are facing a salary cap crisis that could lead to an exodus of Manly stars.
Taylor will team with fellow rookie Kane Elgey at the Titans scrumbase next season and underscored his talent with a sizzling display as the Broncos under-20s beat the Tigers 40-24 last Sunday.
Taylor has yet to play first grade but Broncos under-20s coach Craig Hodges insists the young halfback would not be out of his depth in the NRL next season.
“Ashley is ready,’’ Hodges said. “I have every confidence in him to make the jump to the NRL.
“I think it’s an exciting opportunity if the Titans blood two young halves. It would be exciting for their club and exciting for the players themselves.
“Often in our game, NRL players get recycled just because they’ve been in a system but it’s great to see a young bloke like Ashley coming through.
“He has a wonderful future in the game. Ash has great speed and good size for a halfback. He’s around (183cm) and over the next 12 months he will fill out and become a 90kg playmaker, so when he runs at the line he will have the speed and strength to pull through half gaps.
“He also has a very good kicking game and the ability to organise, so I have no doubt those strengths in his game can be transferred to the NRL.”
Taylor’s imminent signing caps a successful two days for the Titans, who on Tuesday staved off premiers Souths to retain promising back Brian Kelly.
The 19-year-old junior Origin star will train with the Titans’ NRL squad in November and is likened in style to South Sydney Test flyer Alex Johnston.
“Souths have been interested in him for a period of 12 months, but the Titans were able to increase their two-year offer,” his manager Tas Bartlett said.
“Brian is very happy that he is staying on the Gold Coast to live out his NRL dream.’’
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