GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 23: Ashley Taylor of the Titans in action during the round 20 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Parramatta Eels at Cbus Super Stadium on July 23, 2016 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jason O'Brien/Getty Images)

Five teams from 7th to 11th on the NRL Telstra Premiership ladder are separated only by two points as we enter the final six weeks of the season.

With each team needing a strong six week period to give themselves the best chance of claiming one of just possibly two top eight spots remaining, these five players are the keys to their team's finals hopes.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 23: Ashley Taylor of the Titans in action during the round 20 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Parramatta Eels at Cbus Super Stadium on July 23, 2016 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jason O'Brien/Getty Images)
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 23: Ashley Taylor of the Titans in action during the round 20 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Parramatta Eels at Cbus Super Stadium on July 23, 2016 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jason O'Brien/Getty Images)

Ashley Taylor (Gold Coast Titans)

According to the experts' pre-season predictions, the Titans find themselves in an unusual position at this stage of the season.

Many pundits had Gold Coast in last place, but their rise all season have been an uplifting one, lead by their halves pairing of Ashley Taylor and Tyrone Roberts.

Taylor and Roberts have been instrumental in the Titans' rise to finals contention, which is quite impressive considering it's the first season they've played together.

The halfback in Taylor leads his side in try assists (10) and line break assists (8), which shows just how good the 21-year-old is at getting teammates into great positions with ball in hand.

Taylor has scored five tries himself this season and if he's able to continue on with his impressive year, the Titans may well be heading towards a now likely finals berth.

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