Gold Coast Titans Ash Taylor ‘100 per cent’ willing to take pay cut

If it takes a pay cut to ensure his future under Justin Holbrook and alongside a blossoming spine combination with Jamal Fogarty and AJ Brimson, Taylor is open to that discussion. FIND OUT WHY

Ash Taylor of the Titans has opened up about his willingess to sacrifice salary for team success. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

GOLD Coast halfback Ash Taylor is “100 per cent” willing to take a pay cut to his million-dollar salary to help the Titans attract new talent.

Taylor is the happiest he has been as a footballer having finally achieved balance between his play on the field and his life away from rugby league.

If it takes a pay cut to ensure his future under Justin Holbrook and alongside a blossoming spine combination with Jamal Fogarty and AJ Brimson, Taylor said he is open to that discussion “100 per cent.”

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“When you’re not playing up to the cap it’s hurting the team,” he said.

“If that’s what it takes to attract new talent then definitely.”

Taylor said that discussion topic had not been broached by Titans leadership so far but he would open to it to help the Titans grow into an NRL force.

If Taylor’s salary - currently the highest of any five-eighth in the NRL - was reduced from $1 million per year to the $700,000 paid to the Roosters’ Luke Keary and Rabbitohs’ Cody Walker, the seventh and eighth highest-paid, a new signing could be subsidised by $300,000.

Melbourne Storm hooker Brandon Smith’s current deal is also worth $400,000.

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Scoring Smith for Taylor’s 2020 wage plus $100,000 is the type of savvy recruitment the NRL’s heavyweights thrive on.

If a pay cut comes with a contract extension on the Gold Coast, Taylor would readily consider it.

“I’d love to be a part of the future (here),” the 25-year-old said.

Ash Taylor of the Titans has opened up about his willingess to sacrifice salary for team success. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“I love the Gold Coast, it’s pretty much home for me now.

“I was a little bit lost last year, which has been well-documented, but I’m loving the game and building that week-in, week-out competitiveness has really brought me back to life.

“Life away from footy has given me a new life.

“I’m loving every minute with my son, who’s 8.5 months and starting to crawl and say dad.

“When I wake up in the morning he’s there smiling at me.

“It gives you a new outlook on life.

“I’m loving every minute and when you’re happy off the field you’re happy on, and that’s reflected on the field.”

Longtime teammate Jarrod Wallace said Taylor’s commitment to the team had never been in question.

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“I think Ash’s biggest thing has been he over-committed to the team,” Wallace said.

“He’s always put the team and footy first, instead of his mindset.

“Last year he had to go back to his family and get his mental health right and now it’s showing.

“(Taylor alongside Jamal Fogarty and AJ Brimson) are a fantastic spine to have.

“They’re the ones when we need to find something that we’re leaning on.”