Ashley Taylor says former Gold Coast Titans skipper Kevin Proctor is still one of his mentors

RISING Gold Coast star Ashley Taylor says disgraced former Titans captain Kevin Proctor is still one of his role models.

Ashley Taylor of the Titans poses for a portrait during the 2017 Indigenous Round launch at Rugby League Central, Sydney. Picture: Brett Costello

TITANS halfback Ash Taylor has labelled Kevin Proctor as one of his role models, as the team prepares to go into this week’s Indigenous Round without their former co-captain.

The Gold Coast are still reeling from the news that their star forward was caught up in a drugs scandal over the weekend after he was spotted on CCTV allegedly using cocaine with his Kiwi teammate Jesse Bromwich.

CRASH: Drugs can lead to slippery slope

STAR: Milford gets a chance to prove himself

Since the news emerged on Saturday morning, Proctor — who was on Monday banned from playing in this year’s World Cup — has stepped down from his position as the Titans’ co-captain and also won’t play until he has a chance to meet the club’s board.

But while the scandal has taken his Titans teammates by surprise, Taylor said he still views Proctor as a mentor.

Proctor has stood down as Titans captain.

The former Storm enforcer moved to the Gold Coast this season and in that time has become someone that the young playmaker looks up to.

“It was definitely a surprise,” Taylor said of the alleged incident.

“Since he’s come to the club, he’s been a role model for me. He’s been a massive boost and is a huge asset to our team.

“It’s a massive call for him to do that (give up co-captaincy) but it’s just what has to be done.”

Proctor, who plays on the right edge with Taylor, is expected to miss Saturday’s crucial clash against the Storm and Taylor said the Kiwi would be sorely missed.

MONDAY BUNKER: This week we dissect a weekend of shame for the NRL with three players and an official involved in drug busts while Josh Dugan and Johnathan Thurston return from Kangaroo duty with injuries.

It is understood Proctor has not had the chance to address the playing group yet as he is on two days’ leave, which was organised before the Test.

But Taylor was sure that once Proctor returned, he would speak to his teammates.

“He’s that type of person to get up and front the boys,” Taylor said.

“He was the co-captain of our team and he’s got to take that responsibility and put his hand up for his actions.”

Saturday’s clash against Melbourne is expected to be a tough one for the Titans, but it is a game that Taylor is looking forward to given it is the NRL’s Indigenous Round.

Showcasing the Gold Coast’s special jersey yesterday, the 22-year-old said he was looking forward to representing his family on Saturday.

Taylor will attempt to engineer an upset over Melbourne this weekend.

“It means a lot to myself but also every indigenous player out there,” he said.

“To represent your family, your mob and where you come from at the same time, it makes me proud.”

Meanwhile, NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said the NRL was consistent in its handling of players accused of drug-related matters by permitting Rooster Shaun Kenny-Dowall to continue to be available for matches.

Kenny-Dowall was charged in Sydney last week with possession of cocaine, but his lawyer said he had not made a plea and denied using cocaine.

Kenny-Dowall offered to take a hair follicle test which can trace cocaine use in the previous three months.

“We won’t step into matters that are before the court,’’ Greenberg said.

“All these issues have to go through a process.’’