He’s hardly slimline but a trimmer Dave Taylor is impressing his Gold Coast teammates during the club’s NRL pre-season in a bid to find the consistency to go with his undoubted talent.

Taylor has dropped 5kgs in a bid to retain the impressive form which marked the end of his otherwise disappointing maiden campaign with the Titans.

Two-hour paddleboard sessions and surfing kept the 185cm man-mountain in shape during the break and it’s paying off with the giant forward outperforming several teammates at the club’s first beep test earlier this month.

Five-eighth Aidan Sezer says Taylor’s attitude is a definite plus and he believes the former Queensland State of Origin forward could be priming himself for a huge year.

“Dave’s looking in fine nick,” Sezer said.

“He’s probably the best athlete I’ve seen physically … he plays it up a bit but he’s definitely in good nick, I’m happy for the big fella.

“He’d be the best player in the game at his best, if he does that week-in, week-out. That’s something Dave knows he’s got to work on and that’s probably what we’ve all got to work on as a team.”

The Titans struggled to find consistency in their 2013 campaign, with injuries constantly depriving coach John Cartwright of the opportunity to field a settled line-up.

Sezer, who only missed two games last year, says the introduction of former North Queensland coach Neil Henry to the club’s backroom staff has freshened up their pre-season routine.

“The team as a whole, we’re in far better shape than we were last pre-season,” he said.

“He’s (Henry) just brought a difference obviously. He’s a very experienced coach and just his different take on things … he’s fresh and bringing new ideas to the club. All the boys are jumping on board and we’re enjoying it.”