2015 Rumoured and confirmed signings.

[GoldenEagle41]

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.’’

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...-1227452958864

at least that helps with the selection headaches next year with killer/gutho/turbo slotting in to 5/8 and one less spot to fill in the backline

 

[BOZO]

I noticed Ligi Sao has signed with the Warriors. He was developing well. Bad loss.

Jake Trbojevic is the one that will develop into a Manly Legend

 

[eaglebuzz]

$500,000 coup for Taylor? No wonder we didn't get him. That's crazy money.

Like I said, I think it came down to the Tits being willing to pay him more than us. I'd rather a makeshift 5/8 to an overpriced one.

 

[Ripper]

I've said it before, if you don't get them....push the price up and make them earn it. They pay overs because we have 2 immortals in the club, that's currency.

 

[Sideline Eye]

$500,000 coup for Taylor? No wonder we didn't get him. That's crazy money.

Like I said, I think it came down to the Tits being willing to pay him more than us. I'd rather a makeshift 5/8 to an overpriced one.

I'd say it's more like $500,000 over two years rather than per year. It that were the case Manly would of been better off going for Hodgkinson who's a proven first grader for $600,000 per season.

 

[Bearfax]

Agreed Sideline Eye. Hodkinson would have been a nice stable fit at half with DCE at 5/8. Hodkinson is not spectacular but he is solid and tough, does the work. And he is a damned good goal kicker. Manly would have not lost out bringing him back at home.

 

[eaglebuzz]

I'd say it's more like $500,000 over two years rather than per year. It that were the case Manly would of been better off going for Hodgkinson who's a proven first grader for $600,000 per season.

Could be. Either way I'm confident that the main factor in us not getting him was the Titans paying huge overs. His desire to remain in QLD might also explain it, although the Gold Coast is terrible.

 

[Bearfax]

I suspect the main factor was staying close to mum.

 

[tookey]

Chee kam rumoured to be going to the tigers

 

[lsz]

I thought Soufs got him?

 

[Sideline Eye]

Chee kam rumoured to be going to the tigers

I guess it was on the card anyway. Unfortunately, injury has plagued his time at Manly which didn't help and based on a write up in mid June of this year (link below) chances are he may jump at an opportunity if another club approaches him.

http://www.nrl.com/crunch-time-for-chee-kam-at-manly/tabid/10874/newsid/83398/default.aspx

Just hope this clean up doesn't lead to a mass exodus of players in the lower grades.

 

[StuBoot]

Chee kam rumoured to be going to the tigers

What a coup for the Tigers - their NSW Cup will look good - MCK and Littlejohn.

Is this Wests idea of revenge for getting Dorahy, Boyd and Brown?

 

[Freagle]

Still wanna see him tried in firsts before we let him go...never had a fair chance. Apparently his form in NSW Cup has been very good of late, and he trains like a mad man...

 

[tookey]

Still wanna see him tried in firsts before we let him go...never had a fair chance. Apparently his form in NSW Cup has been very good of late, and he trains like a mad man...

He couldn't be any worse than Hasson

 

[Freagle]

He couldn't be any worse than Hasson

True that! He seems just what we need - big, strong, fast, can offload. I am genuinely disappointed we haven't tried him out, especially when we have had so many damn injuries.

 

[StuBoot]

Still wanna see him tried in firsts before we let him go...never had a fair chance. Apparently his form in NSW Cup has been very good of late, and he trains like a mad man...

One game off the bench in three years. I had high hopes for him too but how long do you give him?

 

[HappilyManly]

Storm Anthony Seibold will be joining Barrett and John Cartwright on coaching staff at Sea Eagles in 2016

 

[Beer buzzard]

Still wanna see him tried in firsts before we let him go...never had a fair chance. Apparently his form in NSW Cup has been very good of late, and he trains like a mad man...

May train like a mad man but doesn't play like one. Spends all his time in the centres and expects it to be delivered to him.

 

[tookey]

Robert Lui is useless. If that is the best we can as 5/8 then the Penn's are heading the club towards insolvency.

This years result is going to be a shocker for them with all the rumoured payouts to 2v and Georgalis etc.

 

[BOZO]

True that! He seems just what we need - big, strong, fast, can offload. I am genuinely disappointed we haven't tried him out, especially when we have had so many damn injuries.

You obviously have not seen him play . The reason that he wasn't given an opportunity is because he didn't deserve one . NSW cup player at best