12-WEEK AUDITION: NEW TITAN THOMPSON HAS TIME TO TRIAL FOR NO.1 SPOT
COREY Thompson signed with the Gold Coast Titans to chase his dream of playing fullback in the NRL.
For the next 12 weeks his wish has been granted but his time is running out as incumbent AJ Brimson heals from a serious back injury.
The next three months will prove a high-stakes audition for the former Tiger to stake his claim on the blueand-gold No.1 jersey he moved states to make his own. Thompson has played enough professional football to know the only way to keep his jersey is to earn it on the field.
“(Coach Justin Holbrook) told me AJ was injured and if I’m not playing well AJ is going to take it off me,” Thompson said.
“You know I’m going to be pushing to stay at No.1 and AJ is also going to be pushing for it and that’s going to be a good thing for the club.
“I want to stay there but if you’ve got two players and I end up on the wing then so be it, I’ll do my job on the wing and do my best for the team.”
Halves Ash Taylor and Jamal Fogarty have been integral in fusing Thompson into the Titans spine but the most surprising ally to emerge has been 21-year-old Brimson himself.
The youngster is only now returning to running but his game sense has been sharpened by teaching the veteran custodian, nine years his senior, the subtleties of fullback play in the Titans’ system.
“It might be weird for the outside world to hear but he’s helping me grow as a fullback,” Thompson said.
“I’ll be helping him too when he comes back.”
The prospect of the two fullbacks joining forces in the outside backs is an exciting one because the pair share a love of pressuring defenders.
“It would be good because we sort of have the same strengths,” Thompson said.
“We love being around the ruck with those offloads and quick play-the-balls.
“If we’re both on the field at the same time it can only be a good thing for the Titans.”