Titans coach Garth Brennan wants more from Ash Taylor after Wests Tigers loss

Ash Taylor might be Gold Coast’s highest-paid player but his coach didn’t mince words about the halfback’s form after their Round 7 loss.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 28: Coach Garth Brennan and Ashley Taylor talk during a Gold Coast Titans NRL training session on March 28, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

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Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan needed a moment before assessing Ash Taylor’s performance against Wests Tigers.

In a side that threw away a two-try lead to lose 30-14, the club’s highest paid player ran for 65m, kicked for 163m and made 13 of his 15 tackles to go with a handling error.

Given the Titans’ overall capitulation, those individual numbers don’t stand out.

But they sure aren’t setting the world alight either and Brennan knows it.

“Mixed, yeah mixed” is what he eventually came up with.

It’s a fair assessment of Taylor’s efforts in Tamworth but Brennan expects more from his star halfback and conceded as much during Saturday’s post-match conference.

Garth Brennan and Ashley Taylor talk during a Gold Coast Titans training session. Picture: Chris Hyde

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“I probably do. You know, he’s had a few injuries this year and he’s probably not quite there,” he said.

In fairness, Taylor has endured a torrid start to the year including minor shoulder surgery and a quad injury that ruled him out until Round 4.

The Titans forwards are also yet to offer their backs a dominant platform, though they showed glimpses on Saturday night and in their Round 6 win over Newcastle.

But Gold Coast’s million-dollar man was signed for his game-breaking ability and Brennan is yet to see him deliver on the field this season.

Taylor was the Titans’ most potent attacking weapon in 2018 with 18 try-assists but has since managed just one from four games.

Million-dollar halfback Taylor is yet to recapture his game-breaking 2018 form this year. Picture: David Rowland

It’s a similar story with his running game.

New captain Tyrone Roberts has largely adopted kicking duties but Taylor’s running metres are yet to reap the benefits with his average gain dropping from 49m to 33m.

Defence is another concern with tackle success slightly down from 83 per cent (2018) to 77 per cent and while injuries can explain this statistical lull, the club desperately need their star to shine.

But Brennan is adamant Taylor will improve with time and says he will continue to work with his first-choice playmaker.

“He probably hasn’t had the confidence at the moment to come up with the plays that he’d like to but I’m not too concerned at this point,” he said.

Mitch Rein was Gold Coast’s best in their 30-14 loss to Wests Tigers in Tamworth. Picture: Chris Hyde

Gold Coast’s season now hangs in the balance at 2-5 with the side facing a six-day turnaround against North Queensland in Townsville.

The Cowboys will be equally desperate for a win but Brennan should take heart in the efforts of Shannon Boyd and Mitch Rein against the Tigers.

Boyd racked up 151m to spearhead the Titans pack in the absence of Ryan James while Rein made 56 tackles without a miss and caused problems from dummy half.

Tyrone Roberts was solid in his first run as captain this year while Tyrone Peachey had some quality touches including a scything run for Gold Coast’s second try.