Ashley Taylor says he’s in no rush to sign a new contract with Gold Coast

IT’S the news Gold Coast fans have been dreading — Ashley Taylor says he is in no rush to sign a new deal with the Titans.

Titans player Ashley Taylor reacts during the round 25 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast, Saturday, August 26, 2017. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

GOLD Coast halfback Ashley Taylor has delivered Titans fans the news they did not want to hear — he is in no rush to sign a new contract.

Taylor will be the only Gold Coast player to have featured in all 24 games this season when he fronts up in a severely depleted Titans side against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

The 22-year-old has been unable to have the same impact as he did in 2016 on his way to claiming Dally M rookie-of-the-year honours but has produced a solid season to be the only constant at an injury-ravaged club.

With 46 NRL games under his belt, Taylor is well on his way to becoming an established first grade halfback, and the Titans have made moves to extend his tenure on the Gold Coast beyond 2018.

The Titans have fallen apart over the last month.

But there is a chance they could lose him to a rival club with Taylor reluctant to rush into signing a new deal while uncertainty surrounds the Gold Coast following the sacking of coach Neil Henry last week.

Taylor, a Brisbane junior, said he could see himself staying at the Titans long-term but he will wait before deciding his future.

“I think I can (see myself here long-term). We’ve just got to find the right coach now,” he said.

“Neil being sacked was out of our control. They just need to find a coach now, build and keep moving forward.

“I’m happy to wait. I’m contracted here now. A lot of people are going to be asking the question.

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“I just want to play. That’s what I’m here to do.”

Taylor’s relationship with Henry became a focal point during the tumultuous fortnight which led to Henry’s sacking.

Taylor had publicly stated his preference was to play alongside Tyrone Roberts in the halves, but Henry persisted with an out-of-form Kane Elgey at five-eighth.

“I didn’t have a problem with Neil,” Taylor said.

“I was sweet. I was trying to do my role my in the team.

“I’m a player. He’s the coach. That’s what we tried to do. It just turned out it didn’t work.

“There have been a lot of things happening in the past month. I’ve tried to get my head around it and play some footy.

Will Taylor stick with the Titans?

“It’s something different. It’s something I didn’t except to go through. I’ve come to a club that’s not as founded as where I’ve come from at the Broncos with the development and that kind of stuff.

“It’s a learning curve, not only for me but all the players and entire Titans operation.”

Taylor and Elgey will attempt to lead a bits-n-pieces team in the final round clash after Jarrod Wallace accepted a three-match suspension (shoulder charge), and Ryan James (ankle), Nathan Peats (shoulder) and Roberts (shoulder) succumbed to injuries needing surgery.

Kevin Proctor has been cleared by Titans hierarchy to captain the side after being stripped of the duties in May following a drugs scandal.

“He’s done everything that could have been asked of him,” Titans chief executive Graham Annesley said.

“He was stood down from the co-captaincy and there was no time frame put on it.

“He’s shown remorse and apologised for what’s happened. He’s been working with the Salvation Army in his own time.”