Gold Coast halfback Ash Taylor could return to the NRL as soon as this week after a successful return to the playing field last Saturday.
Taylor hasn’t played in the NRL since the Titans’ round 12 defeat by North Queensland, taking a break from the game due to personal issues.
He returned to action in the Queensland Cup, scoring a try as Tweed Heads came from behind to defeat Central Queensland 28-18 in the remote town of Ilfracombe on Saturday evening.
While it was a winning weekend for Taylor it wasn’t so good for the Titans in their first game after coach Garth Brennan’s sacking.
After charging out to a 12-0 lead against a much-changed Melbourne line-up, the Titans were powerless to stop the table-topping Storm charging to a 38-18 win at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday.
In the wake of the defeat interim coach Craig Hodges said all positions were up for grabs for Saturday’s south-east Queensland derby against Brisbane – Taylor’s former club.
Whether the 24-year-old No.7 returns or not to the NRL this weekend, Taylor’s return is pleasing news for rugby league great Petero Civoniceva.
“It takes a lot of courage to step away and obviously get some assistance. He did that,” Civoniceva told AAP.
“Obviously he’s got a huge future in the game and is such an important part of our game … we just want to make sure that he’s in a good spot in life and all we can do is get around him and support him.
“It’s great to see him back on the field again.”