Gold Coast Titans sign Melbourne Storm halfback Ryley Jacks in bid to take pressure off Ash Taylor

THE Titans have bolstered their playmaking ranks by snaring Melbourne halfback Ryley Jacks in a move to break the shackles on Maroons hopeful Ash Taylor.

THE Titans have bolstered their playmaking ranks by snaring Melbourne halfback Ryley Jacks in a move to break the shackles on Maroons hopeful Ash Taylor.

Jacks will ink a one-year deal with the Gold Coast on Friday as coach Garth Brennan beefs-up his squad ahead of a 2019 finals assault.

Brennan was hamstrung at times throughout last season as he searched for a playmaking partner to complement the talented Taylor.

Kane Elgey and Bryce Cartwright flopped in the No. 6 jersey before teenage rookie AJ Brimson starred in the second half of his debut season.

Brimson is expected to shift to his best position of fullback next year and Brennan has recruited Jacks and Tyrone Roberts as potential halves partners for Taylor.

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The Titans could do with some of Jacks’ smarts. (Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Jacks, 26, will arrive at the Gold Coast after two seasons at Melbourne where he racked up an impressive 20 wins from 25 NRL games.

The former Burleigh Bears No.7 was on the verge of signing with Canberra before committing to the Titans.

Former Titans football manager Scott Sattler has worked closely with Jacks and said he was the perfect foil for Taylor, who struggled at times last season under the burden of a $1 million-a-year contract.

It’s been a tough season for Ashley Taylor. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)

“Players at the Melbourne Storm develop good work ethics and Ryley would bring that to the Titans,” he said.

“He would be good for the Titans for two reasons. One because of his strong work ethic and two, because Garth Brennan is a rookie coach, Ryley can be like a second coach on the field executing game plans.

“I’ve always seen some subtle touches in Ryley’s game and he’s been able to finetune them and have the confidence to use his skill set in the pressure of an NRL game.

The Titans are hopeful Jacks can bring a bit of that Melbourne play with him. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)

“There is a difference between having the skills and having the confidence to use them and Ryley is now in a place of his career where he is backing himself.

“I just think he would be a good foil and role model for Ash Taylor. He would be able to teach Taylor the work ethic required to succeed and all the tiny one per cent pockets of improvement that players are taught at Melbourne.

“I think we haven’t seen Ash Taylor reach his full potential yet and Ryley can help him that. Taylor has raw talent but that only gets you so far.

“Ryley has had to work damn hard to get where he is today and if they can strike a balance as halves, they can bring some success to the Titans.”

Jacks will join Canberra’s Test prop Shannon Boyd and Panthers utility Tyrone Peachey as Brennan’s major recruits for 2019.

Brennan has also secured the signature of hooker Mitch Rein for a further three seasons.

Rein reinvigorated his NRL career at the Titans this season after being released from Penrith, playing all 24 of the Gold Coast’s matches.

The re-signing of Rein has thrust pressure on former NSW Origin hooker Nathan Peats to retain his starting spot in the No.9 jersey.

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