TITANS dynamo Kane Elgey has edged closer to an NRL return after starring in the Gold Coast’s 30-18 trial win against Parramatta in Alice Springs on Saturday night.
In sweltering Northern Territory heat, Elgey had his first genuine hit-out since suffering a knee injury in January last year which rubbed him out of the entire 2016 season.
Ashley Taylor starred in Elgey’s No. 7 jersey last year and the young duo is expected to partner up for the Titans this year with Tyrone Roberts shifting to a utility role.
Taylor did not feature for the Titans on Saturday night following his encouraging performance alongside Johnathan Thurston for the Indigenous All Stars on Friday.
Elgey, 23, was in the thick of the action early, putting Leivaha Pulu under the posts for the first try of the match to give the Titans a 6-0 lead at quarter-time.
Coach Neil Henry benched Elgey, William Zillman, Anthony Don, Nathan Davis, Paterika Vaivai and Pulu for the start of the second half.
Gold Coast Titans star Kane Elgey.Source:News Corp Australia
Burleigh’s Tyler Cornish, who is trialling for a contract, moved to fullback in place of Zillman following his impressive performance at last weekend’s Auckland Nines.
Cornish threw the last pass for young gun Tyronne Roberts-Davis to score in the corner, giving the Titans a 12-8 lead in the third quarter, and was one of the Gold Coast’s best with his limited opportunities.
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Playing his first game since suffering a horrific broken leg in his NRL debut, Karl Lawton moved into the halves in place of Elgey for the third quarter.
It was also the first game back for Davis, who suffered an eerily similar injury to Lawton’s last year, and he pushed his cause for a round 1 centre berth given Konrad Hurrell and Dan Sarginson are on the comeback trail from knee injuries.
Elgey returned to the field in the final quarter, setting up a second try for Roberts-Davis to make it 18-all after the Eels posted two quick scores through Atini Gafa and Honeti Tuha.
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“Kane played 60 out of 80 minutes and had some nice touches and a good kicking game,” coach Neil Henry said.
“He’s getting his confidence back after last year.
“Overall it was a good hit-out. We scored a couple of late tries and ended up getting a win which is always good.
“It was a good opportunity for a few of our younger players to play.”
Don crossed late to pinch the lead for the Titans and Elgey sealed the six-point win with a sideline conversion.
Broncos recruit Jarrod Wallace made his presence felt in his first appearance for the Titans at lock and the Gold Coast reported no injuries in their 22-man squad at fulltime.
The Titans will play their final trial against the Warriors in New Zealand next Sunday with Henry hoping to field close to his strongest team.
Henry is sweating on the availability of star fullback Jarryd Hayne after he suffered a minor knee injury at the Nines.
While Hayne is no guarantee to face the Warriors, the Titans are confident he will be available for their opening round clash against the Sydney Roosters on March 4.
Originally published as Elgey in thick of it as Titans beat Eels
