Just when the pressure seemed to be easing on Ash Taylor, the Gold Coast halfback has been surprised by reports the Titans have approached Penrith star James Maloney.
Taylor, 27, said a chat with Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan had helped relieve the stress of wearing the Titans' No.7 jersey after a largely frustrating NRL season.
Taylor aims to show how much he has improved when Gold Coast try to spoil North Queensland's Johnathan Thurston farewell in their season-ending, sold out Cbus Super Stadium clash on Saturday.
However the young half appeared stunned on Wednesday when it was revealed by reporters that NSW playmaker Maloney had told News Corp that the Titans had shown interest.
Maloney said the Titans had approached him but vowed to see out the final two seasons of his Panthers contract.
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"That's the first I have heard of that," said Taylor, in his third season at the Titans helm.
"If they don't think I am the half then that is not on me.
"I just need to keep playing good footy.
"Whoever is alongside me or if I am not in the team I am going to be here supporting and training to cement my spot."
Taylor began the season being touted for a Queensland State of Origin debut following the representative retirement of Thurston and Cooper Cronk.
But he failed to respond when Brennan challenged the halfback to step up and earn his marquee dollars in 2018 after signing a three-year, $1 million-plus a season extension until the end of 2021.
Taylor has regrouped recently, sparking a Titans run which included last round's 10-8 loss to Melbourne and a comeback win at Manly.
"I was putting everything on my shoulders which is tough being a young half in the competition," Taylor said.
"I had a good chat with Garth in the past couple of weeks and I just need to worry about my own game.
"He has given me a pretty big role to lead the team around.
"But the last few weeks I have been relaxed and just... being me."
The Titans will desperately need a spark against Thurston's Cowboys.
In 2018 Gold Coast have busted the fewest tackles (22.3 per game) and made the second fewest metres (1,332m per game) in the NRL.
