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Thread: 2020 preseason

  1. #106
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    Ryan it seems has done his ACL again.. Poor bastard. Far out. How frustrating

  2. #107
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    Quote Originally Posted by shamus View Post
    Ryan it seems has done his ACL again.. Poor bastard. Far out. How frustrating
    Yeah, not good. That’ll probably be the end of him unfortunately.

  3. #108
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    That’s huge. Hope it’s not career ending but that’d be his season again.

  4. #109
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    Man so tough to hear about James. He will be 30 next year so he will have a massive decision to make.
    On a lighter note, I have to change my supercoach team now....

  5. #110
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    Jai Arrow made Captain
    Leads us to a season where we have genuine hope for a move in 2021
    Mrs Jai has a baby
    Jai and Mrs Jai ask for compassionate release by Souffs to be closer to family
    Jai leads Titans to Premiership and he is a god on the GC for the rest of his life

    Over to you now Mal and Justin

  6. #111
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    Titans star Kevin Proctor pledges an end to Gold Coast’s losing culture
    https://www.couriermail.com.au/

    Potential Gold Coast captain Kevin Proctor has declared the Titans’ losing culture will be a thing of the past as the club begins a new era under coach Justin Holbrook.

    Gold Coast veteran Kevin Proctor has outlined his desire to transform the Titans’ losing culture as the Kiwi international emerged as the club’s leading captaincy contender.

    Proctor is in the frame to replace Ryan James as captain of the Titans this year after the incumbent skipper suffered a season-ending knee injury.

    James will miss the entire 2020 season and faces a fight to play in the NRL again after suffering a third ACL rupture last Friday.

    With Queensland Origin star Jai Arrow bound for South Sydney, Titans culture boss Mal Meninga has conceded the club is low on leadership options.

    Proctor, 30, briefly co-captained the Titans in 2017, but was stripped of the duties following a cocaine scandal while away on Test duties.

    With 240 NRL appearances, Proctor is the Gold Coast’s most experienced player and well-respected by his teammates.

    Titans coach Justin Holbrook was noncommittal to James leading the club this year before his knee injury, and Proctor said he would be happy to take on the captaincy duties.

    “It’s always a massive honour to lead your boys around and be named captain of a club,” he said.

    “I haven’t given it too much thought. I’m trying to go about doing my thing and leading by example at training.

    “If that comes it comes, I’ll be happy to take it.”

    Proctor, who is off-contract this year, is entering his fourth season at the Titans, having played 179 games for the highly-successful Melbourne Storm before joining the Gold Coast.

    Proctor was one of the game’s elite back-rowers while at the Storm, but he has struggled to reach those heights at a club devoid of success.

    Holbrook will be Proctor’s third head coach at the Titans, a stark contrast to the Storm, where Craig Bellamy has held the reins since 2003.

    Proctor said the Titans had to find stability to become an NRL premiership threat and he was confident that would happen under Holbrook.

    “It’s been such a rollercoaster since I’ve been here, it’s been so up and down,” he said.

    “We haven’t really settled with a coach.

    “I really liked Neil (Henry) but they got rid of him (in late 2017). We had interim coaches, then Garth (Brennan, 2018-19) for two years which wasn’t really good.

    “Now we’ve got Justin. He’s been good, but we haven’t really had that stability around the coaches and team. There’s so many people in and out of the squad as well.

    “(Melbourne) have got (Bellamy) at the top. You might see his assistant coaches changing here and there but they’ve still got that blueprint under Craig.

    “It’s so soldier-like down there. You go into a system which has worked for however long he’s been there.

    “We need to come up with a culture and system like that, so that when people come in they know what to do.

    “If you don’t fit into the system then you can’t be here.

    “If you’re new to the club and you don’t fit into their system, then it’s not the coaches that go – it’s the players. That’s why they’ve been so successful.”

    Proctor is the first to admit he hasn’t replicated his Storm form for the Titans.

    But his 2019 season was arguably his best in Gold Coast colours despite the club collecting the wooden spoon, and he is determined to prove he is worthy of a new contract.

    “I’m hoping I do get re-signed,” he said.

    “This is as good as I’ve felt going into a pre-season. It doesn’t get any easier, but the mind is still there. As long as that’s still there and I’ve still got the passion to play footy, I’ll keep going.

    “I’ve got to lead by example and make sure I’m turning up on time and training hard and doing all those things. If I see something I can’t just walk past it.

    “I tell the young boys if they see something me or one of the other senior players are doing, don’t be afraid to say something. That’s how we’re going to get better and how we all buy into what Justin’s got going.

    “We’re moving in the right direction. We’re starting to form that blueprint.

    “You can tell by the way the boys bring themselves into training. There’s no nonsense.

    “I know you’re supposed to be like that when you’re a professional athlete anyway, but it hadn’t been happening the last couple of years. We’d turn a blind eye and let things go.

    “This year it’s non-negotiable. Everyone is pulling each other up on everything.

    “It’s good. That’s what we need. It doesn’t matter if you’ve played two or 200 games, everyone’s the same. You have to buy in or piss off.”

    Newcastle recruit Beau Fernor joined the Titans for his first training session on Monday, however he is at least two months away from playing due to knee surgery.
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  7. #112
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    “It’s the players that go not the coaches” ... he must be on something “Garth was no good” reads like he supported booting the coach.
    Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.

  8. #113
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    Quote Originally Posted by Titanic View Post
    “It’s the players that go not the coaches” ... he must be on something “Garth was no good” reads like he supported booting the coach.
    That's what it seems like, but i think its fair enough. There weren't really many people, fans and members included that were overly happy with him. The players are entitled to their opinions.

  9. #114
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    “We need to come up with a culture and system like that, so that when people come in they know what to do."

    We should hire someone to achieve this........

  10. #115
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dobes View Post
    That's what it seems like, but i think its fair enough. There weren't really many people, fans and members included that were overly happy with him. The players are entitled to their opinions.
    My issue is the hypocrisy coming from this clown, let’s not forget past indiscretions.

    Quote Originally Posted by JunctionBlock View Post
    “We need to come up with a culture and system like that, so that when people come in they know what to do."

    We should hire someone to achieve this........
    JB you’re a funny man!!!
    Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.

  11. #116
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    ‘The million dollar player... It’s not true’: Ash Taylor squashes contract Titans contract rumours and reflects on personal battle
    TITANS
    Darcie McDonald
    February 12, 2020 9:55am
    DARCIE MCDONALD
    Source: FOX SPORTS

    When you see Ash Taylor’s name there’s a fair chance you might think ‘million-dollar player’.
    It’s a tag that Taylor has worn ever since the Titans extended his contract on reportedly more than $1 million a season.

    The 24-year-old struggled to live up to the expectations that came with the price and needed to take a break from rugby league last year to get back into a good headspace.

    As we edge closer to the start of the 2020 season, Taylor has never been more eager to get on the field and to return to the form that earned him the 2016 Dally M Rookie of the Year award.

    He’s back, he’s stronger and he’s got the truth on that million-dollar tag.

    “There’s always that price tag that gets thrown around. The million-dollar player, it’s been reported about a lot but it’s not true. There’s a lot of statements that have been put out there, like I’m on a million dollars a season, but that’s not true,” Taylor told foxsports.com.au

    “It’s kind of hard to play up to that expectation and it’s always hard when people think you’re on that kind of money. But I’ve lived it. I don’t know how those blokes actually do it like Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston trying to live up to that price tag.

    “It’s a hefty price tag to live up to and I’m just sort of trying to get my footy back on track now. It’s a team sport and I want to be a part of a great team.”

    Taylor’s 2019 season was tough. He drowned in the immense pressure that comes with being a star halfback.

    The pressure was too much, he got in his own head and his form suffered because of it.

    He took a six month hiatus from footy to tackle his struggles head on and returned for just one more appearance in the NRL before the season ended.

    That wasn’t in Taylor’s plans for 2019 but he’s come out of the whirlwind much stronger.

    “It was a rollercoaster.

    “The plan was to play some good footy and get the Titans back up to finals contention but some personal stuff happened to me and that took me on a rollercoaster ride.

    “Life’s not about always staying up – there’s always going to be downs. I had a lot of challenges last year but was lucky enough to have some great support. I’m still going through the process today, trying to get back on the paddock and trying to get my footy back to where it was a few years ago.”

    It can be tough being a professional rugby league player. Let’s be honest, these guys are constantly analysed by experts and can’t burp without a journalist catching wind of it.

    Social media doesn’t help too. We all know of those fans who have never played a game of rugby league but have the most scathing opinion of players online. Keyboard warriors if you will.

    Taylor has fallen victim to the keyboard warriors. It used to affect him but he’s learned to not get so caught up in it.

    “I used to read a lot on social media but now I just read it and move on. If something comes up I’ll have a quick look, but I’m not really a big fan of it.”

    One of the biggest learning experiences for Taylor came after his contract with the Titans was extended to the end of 2021.

    After an explosive two seasons with the Titans he was dubbed a superstar half with the potential to be the best in the game so it made sense for the club to lock him in on big money to stop any rivals from poaching their key player.

    In 2018 he didn’t reach those same heights and along came the criticism.

    Taylor struggled with the harsh words. It bubbled over into his personal life and he needed to seek help.

    Now that he’s back on track a much wiser Taylor has some advice that every up and coming player should read and remember.

    “After I signed that big contract there was a lot out there and I’m only 24 now – I’m still learning about life and I’ve still got a lot to go.

    “Being young and being in the game any advice I’d give to kids coming through is to not let it get to you, not let it affect your game and not let it affect your personal life. It was affecting me, my footy was affected and so was my personal life. I was going down the wrong track.

    “I’d advise kids to just click on it and move on but if you do need help then just find it as soon as possible, not let it dwell. I probably let it dwell on my mind too long and by the time I tried to get help it was too late – it was already taking my footy down the wrong path.

    “To be good at the game and to be good at blocking that stuff out you’ve just got to see someone and obviously get the help that you need.”

    Taylor was guided through his struggles by professional help but he also had a strong support system in his family who he now turns to whenever he needs someone to lean on.

    “At the start I was seeing a specialist and they were pointing me in the right direction but now it’s just my family.

    “I have a lot of close uncles that I talk to ever since I took that time out of rugby league. Obviously my partner and my mum and dad as well and I have a lot of support bases that know I may need some help at some stage so it’s good to know that they’re always going to be there.

    “It went out around the world that I was struggling but now I don’t need to do that, I don’t need to take time out of footy, I don’t need to leave my home to get support so it’s just good if I need a bit of help I can make a phone call or visit a relative that’s going to bring me back up.”

    Hitting a rough patch in his early 20s is something Taylor probably never anticipated but he’s come out the other side a stronger and much happier man that’s proud of turning his life around.

    “I do (feel proud). One thing that I wanted to try and bring back with me was the honesty with myself. You’ve got to be honest with yourself no matter the outcome.

    “Whatever happened has happened, I’ve moved on from it now and I just want to get back playing footy again and enjoying myself again.

    “That’s the biggest thing, win, lose or draw I’m just going to enjoy my footy and enjoy living my life.”


    After taking the time to heal last year, Taylor returned to rugby league through Queensland Cup side Tweed Heads. The plan to ease him back into the NRL spotlight was genius. He was able to find his groove again without the TV cameras but more importantly he grew as a person from it.

    “I think I got more out of it as a person. Not everything in life revolves around rugby league and I think that’s the biggest thing I took out of it.
    “There’s a lot more to life than rugby league and I’ve found that now since I’ve been getting help because that was my life, rugby league was my life and everything revolved around it.

    Taylor can take a lot of lessons out of his emotional rollercoaster but the biggest one that will stick with him for the rest of his life is perspective.

    He learnt about it during his time away from footy but there’s now a new blessing in his life that’s made the importance of perspective really hit home.

    Taylor welcomed his first child at the end of last year and you couldn’t find a more doting dad if you tried. He was beaming with pride as he spoke about his son Oscar while scrolling through the hundreds of photos on his phone of his pride and joy.

    “I’ve got a little baby boy at home now and he’s turned my world upside down.

    “I’m a proud dad now and I want to live my life through him, I want to show him the world and I want to teach him as well that not everything is about just one thing, you’re only here for a short amount of time so you’ve just got to make the most of it as best as you can.


    “It’s pretty weird being a parent, you’ve got to teach them how to do everything. You can’t describe the feeling of being a parent, it just changes your world.

    “It changed it for the better for me and I think I needed it in life. I have a new perspective now and I want to teach him everything that I know and what I’ve been through.”

  12. #117
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    Thankfully I’ve played Rugby League albeit not very well so I can continue to have an opinion then.
    And I will continue to value the opinions of people who haven’t played too regardless of this keyboard warrior line because it’s the fans who ultimately pay the bills and like me yearn for us to be competitive and then get a premiership.

    One thing that caught my eye was him saying he’s not on a million.
    I can recall an interview last year where he referred to himself as being on a million.

    Fans of teams will always have opinions. It’s just now we have an extra means to talk about to each other.
    So long as it doesn’t Cross those lines of race, religion, gender, sexuality, mental health and unsubstantiated rumour then we are all entitled to our wrong opinions.

    The players and loved ones if they don’t like passionate feedback of us fans should just avoid those platforms if they don’t like it.
    And that is definitely the right choice for them.

  13. #118
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    The old keyboard warrior backhander really sticks in my craw. Supporters are fully entitled to opinions, it is part of the fabric of the game since 1895. Although I do believe there are boundaries and correct and appropriate ways to say things. There shouldn't be pile-ons or witch hunts. But it is natural be be frustrated loss after loss. Some of the greatest coaches and administrators of the game never played first grade. I suspect he is really aiming at some of the drive by comments on fb and twitter. You need to be able to back it up. But many of the critics are people who pay their hard earned on memberships, tickets, merchandise and watch the game.

    But I am not here to have a dig at Ash. I think most people on LoT supported his break from football without criticism and we were happy that the club would allow such a thing. And happy to see the QCUP being utilised as a pathway back to the NRL.

    I want Ash to have fun with his game, be enthusiastic and talkative. That will go a long way. Rugby League is a game of chance and people who have a dig are welcome. I hope he can return to form and be a great example and the club too.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

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  14. #119
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    A fit, happy and firing Ash Taylor should be priority 1 for all Titans supporters.

    Think it is important to note that the references to keyboard warriors was from the journalist and not quotes from Taylor. It could be argued that some of the biggest "keyboard warriors" are the journalists themselves, most who have not played the game at a high level, yet are the first to have opinions about players, clubs, coaches etc.

    I appreciate a good article when there is genuine information or direct quotes from a player or club, but these days most articles tend to be click-bait headlines and then no substance to the article, other than reference to a "source" close to the player or club.

  15. #120
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ausphin View Post
    Think it is important to note that the references to keyboard warriors was from the journalist and not quotes from Taylor. It could be argued that some of the biggest "keyboard warriors" are the journalists themselves, most who have not played the game at a high level, yet are the first to have opinions about players, clubs, coaches etc.
    Thanks for emphasizing that. What Ash said is in quotation marks.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

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