How Broncos legend Lockyer could help Brimson flourish in new role

GOLD Coast dynamo AJ Brimson has confirmed he will shift to five-eighth next season and wants advice from childhood hero Darren Lockyer to make the gamble a success.

Titans coach Justin Holbrook will roll the dice by switching one of his most dynamic ball-runners from his preferred position at fullback to the troublesome No. 6.

The emergence of promising No. 1 Jayden Campbell has forced the shake-up, with Holbrook

keen to have Brimson and the son of Dally M legend Preston Campbell in the same team.

The No. 6 jersey proved to be troublesome for the Titans this year, with Ash Taylor, Tanah Boyd and Tyrone Peachey spending time in the position without setting the world on fire.

Rookie halfback Toby Sexton will be given the No. 7 duties following the release of Jamal Fogarty to Canberra, making 63-gamer Brimson the senior playmaker.

Brimson, 23, made his NRL debut at five-eighth in 2018 but has only started 15 games in the crucial position.

The Queensland Origin utility admitted he preferred to play fullback but said he was happy to make the move to accommodate the rising Campbell.

“If I was honest, I’ve been enjoying fullback more than five-eighth the last few years,” Brimson said.

“But I also think for ‘JC’ and me to both be in the team we’d be at our best if I’m in the halves and he’s at fullback.

“It’s something I’m genuinely looking forward to. I’m excited to play with Jayden and I’ve played a lot of six in the past.”

With an inexperienced halfback by his side in Sexton, the pressure will be on Brimson to perform and help the Titans continue their rise following a drought-breaking finals appearance this year, which Brimson missed due to a broken jaw.

After becoming one of the game’s great fullbacks, Lockyer

famously shifted to fiveeighth and made a successful transition which saw him win the 2006 grand final with the Broncos.

Brimson grew up a huge Broncos fan and said he would reach out to the 355-game legend Lockyer for advice.

“I should ring him, he’s definitely someone I’ve looked up to,” he said.

“There’s been a few greats of the game that have gone from fullback to the halves like Lockyer and (Cameron) Munster.

Brimson committed to the Titans for a further five seasons this year, keeping him at the Gold Coast until at least 2026.

The contract takes him out of the mix for the Dolphins’ foundation team and Brimson said he saw a bright future at the Titans after the club declared it wanted to win two NRL premierships by 2030.

“We’re not there yet but we’re on the right track and I believe with our staff and squad we can get it done. That’s genuine,” he said.