Former Broncos Ashley Taylor and Josh Hoffman ready to lead Titans to victory

BRONCOS coach Wayne Bennett made the tough call to let these guys go... now they want to send Brisbane packing from the finals race.

Gold Coast Titans open training session at Cbus Super Stadium. Ashley Taylor (L) & Josh Hoffman. Photo: Jerad Williams

TITANS Josh Hoffman and Ashley Taylor made their mark wearing Broncos jerseys but nothing would feel sweeter for them than to sink Brisbane’s season.

Hoffman and Taylor will run on to familiar turf at Suncorp Stadium, only this time hoping to send the Broncos crashing down.

The duo made their NRL debuts for the Broncos, Hoffman playing 109 games for Brisbane before being released by coach Wayne Bennett.

Taylor, 21, was given his first-grade debut by Bennett last year before being released for an opportunity on the Gold Coast, where he has flourished in 21 appearances this season.

To say Hoffman and Taylor have made the most of their move to the Gold Coast would be an understatement.

Taylor made his NRL debut for the Broncos last season.

Taylor is in the running to be named the Dally M rookie of the year while Hoffman has rebuilt his career as a centre.

“That’s what you want guys to do, you want them to play well when they go somewhere else,” Bennett said.

“Josh is a good bloke and one of those players they have picked up in the last 12 to 18 months that has helped the Titans to get where they are now.’’

Hoffman’s duty in the Titans’ first final since 2010 will be to shut down James Roberts, and coach Neil Henry said he was up to the task.

GAMBLE: Brisbane to inject rookie winger

TRANSFER: Could Brisbane snag Mead?

“He’s really adapted well to the left centre spot and made it his own,” Henry said. “He hasn’t been able to play many games at fullback.

“He’s worked hard on his defence and he’s been a very consistent player for us for a couple of seasons now.’’

Taylor headed south after realising he was stuck behind Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford in Brisbane’s playmaking ranks.

The Broncos’ loss was Gold Coast’s gain and Taylor exceeded expectations this year to pilot the Titans into eighth spot.

Hunt has not so far reproduced the form which took Brisbane to last year’s grand final but Taylor knows his former mentor is capable of anything.

“He’s looking like he’s on the up,’’ Taylor said. “We’ll have to be on our game or else he will cause us some havoc in the middle.

“His running game was one of the best last year. This year he’s lacked that a bit.

“I’m sure he’s going to bring his A-game this week. We’ll be getting plenty of traffic down that edge.’’