TITANS TICKLED PINK
Titans youngster finds motivation to finish year strongly
IN the midst of a horror Titans campaign, shining light AJ Brimson is tapping into a new source of inspiration for tonight’s battle with Parramatta at Robina.
With this weekend’s fixtures forming the NRL’s annual Women in League Round, Brimson is using mother Vanessa as added motivation to snap Gold Coast’s sevenmatch losing streak.
The 20-year-old fullback has vivid memories of junior training and matchday car trips with mum and said victory against the Eels would be the perfect way to say thanks.
“I think (Women in League Round) is a bit of appreciation for all the stuff women do behind the scenes but also with the women’s game is evolving. It’s getting bigger and bigger so it’s good to try and spread the word for girls who dream of playing rugby league,” the former Currumbin, Southport and Runaway Bay junior said.
“Obviously (mum’s) done a lot of lifts early mornings and basically taking me to training all my games. She’s always my biggest fan, even if I have the worst game she’ll tell me I played well.
“It would be good to try and get a win and play well for the women in rugby league. It’s good to have a bit of appreciation.”
Originally from England and with little knowledge of rugby league, Vanessa has fasttracked her rugby league education over the past five years as AJ launched his rise to NRL stardom. Now, she’s a diehard Titans fan.
“I think when I first came to this country my nephews played and I wasn’t really that interested. My sister said ‘wait until your own sons play’,” Vanessa, whose three boys have all played the game during her 23 years in Australia, said.
“From the minute they started we’ve tried not to miss a game. I knew that I had to learn the game, which I did in the last five years to understand it and have that conversation with our children.
“AJ’s games now, I look forward to every week. We try to go as many away games as home games, and even when we go to a game I still tape it and am excited to watch it that night.
“Without supporting parents it’s very hard for children to pursue their dreams. It is good that (the effort of women) is recognised.”
I WASN’T REALLY THAT INTERESTED (IN RUGBY LEAGUE). MY SISTER SAID ‘WAIT UNTIL YOUR OWN SONS PLAY VANESSA BRIMSON