Elgey to lead Titans revival from halfback
Kane Elgey to play at halfback over Tyrone Roberts, Ashley Taylor
December 4, 2015 6:00pm
Travis Meyn The Courier-Mail
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TITANS coach Neil Henry has placed his faith in Kane Elgey to lead the Gold Coast’s revival, entrusting the rookie playmaker with the coveted No. 7 jersey.
Elgey will stave off advances from Newcastle recruit Tyrone Roberts and Junior Kangaroos star Ashley Taylor to retain the jersey he made his own last season.
The Titans have struggled to field a consistent halfback since Scott Prince’s departure in 2012.
Albert Kelly showed flashes of brilliance without being consistent and Aidan Sezer’s move to Canberra was a huge blow to suffer after the Daly Cherry-Evans debacle.
Elgey was one of few shining lights in a tough 2015 season for the Titans, making his debut in round four and playing 16 NRL games.
The 21-year-old has returned to pre-season training 3kg heavier (87kg) but just as fit in a sign he’s determined to fast track his development in one of the most important positions on the field.
“He’s the incumbent and showed enough throughout the year to show he can hold down the position,” Henry said when asked if Elgey would wear the No. 7 next year.
“I’d imagine it’d be hard to get it off him.
“He’s certainly done a bit of work over the off-season. He’s leading our running groups which is great and that’s what you want from your halfback because he’s got to be on the ball.”
Elgey is a free agent for 2017 and his management has put contract negotiations on hold until the new year.
The Gold Coast product is happy at home and said Henry’s faith in his ability was pleasing to hear.
“The faith he has helps me with confidence,” Elgey said.
“I’m a confidence player and him believing in me will help my game.
“I’ve still got something to prove. Everyone says the second year is the hardest and you can fade away.
“I’m pretty determined to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“You’ve got to be consistent in first grade.”
Henry sees a big future in Elgey, so much so he made him a leader at the team’s recent army-style bootcamp in the Gold Coast hinterland.
He has been setting the pace at training and has already struck up an exciting combination with Roberts, who will play five-eighth alongside him.
“We’ve done a fair bit of ball-work surprisingly,” Elgey said.
“We got the ball in our hands in week one.
“Tyrone’s got incredible skills and once Ash fixes his hand up, he’s going to be there as well.
“There’s going to be some competition for the spots.”
Taylor is recovering from a hand injury he sustained in his NRL debut last season and the 20-year-old is due to begin full contact training before the Christmas break.
“We want a bit of competition there (halves),” Henry said.
“Ash Taylor is determined after debuting and injuring his hand.
“He’s got a very good kicking game as well. There’s a lot to like about his skill.
“We’ve got good depth even though we might not be that experienced.”
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