At one stage Albert Kelly was on the NRL scrapheap.
Now he has been tipped by Gold Coast teammate David Taylor to follow in South Sydney sensation Adam Reynolds’ footsteps and become 2013’s breakout halfback.
Taylor watched in awe at South Sydney this season as Reynolds burst onto the scene to guide the Rabbitohs to the preliminary final, collecting Dally M Rookie of the Year honours along the way.
Now settled at the Titans, Taylor is feeling a sense of deja vu as the once troubled Kelly fights to snap up the No.7 jersey left behind by surprise Brisbane Broncos signing Scott Prince.
Axed by two NRL clubs for off-field issues, Kelly, 21, is savouring the lifeline thrown by the Titans as he vies with fellow young guns Jordan Rankin, Beau Henry and Marmin Barba – younger brother of Ben – for the right to partner Aidan Sezer in the halves next season.
Prince’s presence would have been a selling point when Taylor put pen to paper on his Titans contract but he reckons he didn’t baulk when told of the ex-Test half’s departure to Brisbane.
“It got me more excited about seeing the young halves stand up and prove themselves here,” Taylor said.
“Look at Adam Reynolds … everyone was asking questions about him and look how good he went.
“With a young halves partnership they won’t have that fear when there is an older person who can dominate the game by their side – they can take control themselves.”
Asked who at the Titans could become the next breakout half like Reynolds and Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans the year before, Taylor said: “I really like the way Alby has been training – he has been going really well.
“He’s really talented.
“If he can get everything right and keep training the way he is and be injury free, I like it (his chances).”
But Taylor agreed that their impressive forward pack including Luke Bailey, Nate Myles, Ashley Harrison and Greg Bird would have to step up in Prince’s absence.
“We have such an experienced forward pack. They are natural leaders and will stand up no matter what game we are playing,” he said.
“Personally I want to learn from guys Ash, Nate and all the other older fellas there.”
Meanwhile, the Titans unveiled their new-look strip on Friday – the first time since 2010 that they had dabbled with their jersey design.
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