How Ryley Jacks can bring best out of Ashley Taylor at Titans
TITANS recruit Ryley Jacks believes he could be the man to unlock the best of Ash Taylor after promising to bring a bit of Melbourne Storm to the Gold Coast.
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TITANS recruit Ryley Jacks believes he could be the man to unlock the best of Ash Taylor after promising to bring a bit of Melbourne Storm to the Gold Coast.
Jacks has reported for pre-season training at his new club as he attempts to secure a playmaking berth alongside halfback Taylor.
Taylor is embarking on the first year of a $1 million-a-season contract and all eyes are on whether the Gold Coast’s highest-paid player is worth the money.
The jury is out on the 23-year-old Taylor and if he is to succeed, the Queensland Origin hopeful needs a solid five-eighth alongside him.
Jacks, 26, played 25 games for the Storm over the past two seasons and is renowned as an excellent game manager.
And he believes he could be the yin to Taylor’s yang as the Titans attempt to push into NRL premiership contention.
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“Ash plays what he sees, like Cam Munster in Melbourne,” Jacks said.
“Even if I’m wearing six (five-eighth) on the back I will be that controller in the halves and Ash can really benefit from that.
“He is very good attacking-wise. He will look up, see numbers and play. If I’m on the other side of the field I can direct the forwards around and let him concentrate on his game.
“There is pressure on everyone. I will do my best to take it off him and he will do the same for me in attack and I can worry about my job in defence.”
Jacks was locked in a three-way halfback tussle last season with Jahrome Hughes and Brodie Croft.
He played 13 NRL games for Melbourne in 2018, but only made one appearance after round 18 as coach Craig Bellamy opted for Croft during the Storm’s run to the grand final.
Jacks said he was disappointed to miss out on two grand finals while at Melbourne, but he is excited about jostling with Tyrone Roberts, Tyrone Peachey and AJ Brimson for a berth next to Taylor.
“To play those games throughout the year and start to feel like you’re part of the team … it was tough to get dropped and sit there and watch,” Jacks said.
“Playing under Craig and with those players who are the greatest of all time, I still can’t believe it.
“I sat back and watched them for two years and learnt a whole heap of stuff I can hopefully bring to the Titans.
“As a half, I really looked up to Cooper (Cronk). His direction on the field, he did so much organising and talking which you don’t see on TV.
“Cam (Smith) is great with his leadership and how calm he is. Hopefully I can bring a bit of that to the Titans.
“There is great competition in the halves here. It’s my goal to come up and play regular first grade after a couple of years playing half-a-year.
“I could have easily stayed in a great system but I wanted to back myself and try to become a regular first grader.”
Jacks spent two years at the Burleigh Bears in the Intrust Super Cup before heading to Melbourne feeder club Sunshine Coast Falcons where he caught the eye of Storm scouts.
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