Season 2020 saw Ash Taylor the halfback become Ash Taylor the five-eighth, and with is a new halves partnership blossomed.
Having spent the majority of his career in the number seven jersey, Coach Justin Holbook moved Taylor into the number six after the COVID break for the Round Three clash against the North Queensland Cowboys.
Jamal Fogarty linked with Taylor and the two built a lethal combination in attack that propelled the Titans to a late season charge.
With Fogarty taking much of the organising duties, Taylor returned to his creative best in 2020.
The 25-year-old, in his fifth season with the Gold Coast, scored three tries, had 12 try assists and 13 line break assists.
His kicking game also found its mark, with Taylor averaging 186 kicking metres per game and forcing 11 drop outs through the season.
"Being a half you are a hard on yourself to try and make the big plays every play but now we have got Jamal in there and he is doing a great job," Taylor said.
“It takes a bit of pressure off myself.
"[Holbrook] has helped me massively.
“That is why he switched me to five-eighth to keep my role simple and try and inject myself into the game not as much, but when I do get the ball I need to make something of it."
Taylor has had off-season surgery to fix some lingering injuries (hips and wrist) and will be ready to resume pre-season with the Titans main squad soon.
“I’ll be back running on field a few weeks after the boys start, but at the moment I’ll be up in the chamber doing bike until I’m fully fit.
“I’m doing exercises at home to strengthen my inner core, my hip joints and my glutes and abductors as well.
“You’ve got to strengthen up everything around it so when it comes time to push with my hips hopefully it will be a little bit easier.”
The Titans will be looking to make it a Club record six straight wins in Round One of the 2021 season, while in that same game Taylor will celebrate his 100th NRL game.
