Gold Coast recruit Dave Taylor arrived at the club on Monday declaring he wants his Queensland State of Origin jumper back next season.
Tipping the scales at around 125kg, the player know as the `Coal Train’ is the heaviest signing in the Gold Coast club’s short history ahead of centre Jamal Idris (115kgs) and local Ryan James (121kg).
Taylor’s weight has always been an issue since he was a young player under Wayne Bennett at the Brisbane but he turned up for his first gallop with the Titans looking in reasonably good shape.
“I finished the year at the same weight I’m at now,” said Taylor when the inevitable topic came up.
“Hopefully I can lose a bit more over the off-season and come back even lighter.”
Asked if he was feeling any early pressure as the club’s big-name signing after they failed to qualify for this year’s finals series, Taylor said: “mate … it’s day one”.
“All they want me to do now is run.
“I’ll answer that question come semi-final time.”
There’s no doubt the pain of missing out on last year’s series-deciding third Origin game which Queensland won still hurts the 24-year-old giant who has a point to prove to a few critics in 2013.
“I want to try and get back in the representative side, that (third game Origin axing) was a bit disappointing last year,” said Taylor.
Titans coach John Cartwright admitted he was impressed with Taylor’s condition and also the effort of discarded Cronulla utility back Albert Kelly, who’s trialling with the club for an NRL contract.
“Dave’s a big guy so it’s good to see he hasn’t wasted his summer break,” said Cartwright.
“It’s good to see he’s done some conditioning and he’s turned up today in pretty good shape.”
Taylor’s inclusion into a pack that already includes the likes of Luke Bailey, Nate Myles, Ashley Harrison and Greg Bird gives Cartwright a lot of confidence next season.
Kelly, sacked by the Sharks and Newcastle after some disciplinary breaches and personal issues, has been given an opportunity by the Titans if he shows he’s turned things around off the field and performs well in pre-season trials.
A young talent who hails from Bowraville, the same NSW country town as Greg Inglis, the 21-year-old would be a great addition especially given veteran halfback Scott Prince’s recent move to the Broncos.