THE BRIMSON RIDDLE
Gold Coast Titans coach Justin Holbrook says he is unsure where A.J. Brimson’s future lies, as he confirmed the injury-plagued fullback would make his comeback on Thursday night against the Tigers.
Twice this season Brimson has been sidelined with hamstring tears – one on each leg, in clashes against the Cowboys and Sea Eagles – raising concerns over his long-term ability to play in one of rugby league’s most tireless positions.
He was reportedly in the frame to take to Cbus Super Stadium against South Sydney on Saturday, before Titans performance staff opted to rest him for one more week.
Brimson has shown signs of the form that earned him a State of Origin call up in 2020 this year; averaging 107 running metres and almost three tackle busts a game while laying on five try assists despite playing only four full games.
Yet the harsh reality is that one of the Gold Coast’s most potent players has missed half the season thus far because of injuries known to frequently recur, particularly when pushing through high intensity rigours covering the territory required of a fullback.
Brimson’s versatility will ensure he features in the Titans’ side when fit, having spent much of last season playing in the halves.
Centre Brian Kelly also comes off contract at the end of 2023, potentially opening up a place in the outside backs.
When asked if he viewed Brimson as the club’s permanent fullback, Holbrook said he was unsure given the amount of game time he had missed.
However, the coach said the Titans were at their best when the 24-year-old was on the field, and in the lead up to the
know“I we’re a better side when he’s on the field, he’s such a competitor A.J. He’s a winner and I’m much happier when he’s in our side Justin Holbrook Titans coach
one-time Maroon’s return next week considerations would be made as to how they ensured he remained on the field.
“It’s a good question, I’m not sure of the answer. I’m not disagreeing with those facts,” Holbrook said.
“I know we’re a better side when he’s on the field, he’s such a competitor A.J. He’s a winner and I’m much happier when he’s in our side.
“As for what position I’m not too sure, it’s something we’ve got to consider because for those reasons. I know we’re a better team when he’s on the field but he misses a lot of games and that’s something we’ve got to look at to try and keep him out there.
“He was close to playing (against South Sydney) but the performance staff are just trying to give him another week. Obviously we got him back and he only lasted a game and a half, so I was taking a bit more time with him knowing there’s so much footy to play this year.
“He’s been training really well, he’s ready to go, we’ve
just got to wait another week.”
Holbrook’s conundrum on where Brimson’s fate rests is somewhat eased by the fact he and fellow usual custodians Jayden Campbell and Keano Kini were signed until the end of 2026.
In the absence of veteran five-eighth Kieran Foran, Campbell will wear the No.6 with 19-year-old Kini earning his maiden NRL start after debuting off the in Magic Round.
While the Titans’ return home will give Campbell the chance to impress as a fiveeighth, the decision came at the expense of Toby Sexton.
The 22-year-old is two games back from a wrist injury sustained in his sole appearance for the Gold Coast this year – a try-scoring, matchwinning performance against the Dragons. However Holbrook revealed Foran’s host of injury concerns – knee, calf, toe and finger among them – had kept the former premiership winner from training for more than a month, with Campbell taking his reps at Parkwood.
Holbrook said it was too early to determine where Sexton fit into his selection puzzle, as the Palm Beach Currumbin product came off contract at the end of 2024.
He said when it came to the likes of Kini, Campbell and Brimson, he would seek to find places for all of them moving forward and lean on their adaptability.
“That’s the beauty, you look at Origin sides and people pick the best players and you fit them in. That’s the approach I want to take; we’ve got some exciting players in A.J., J.C. and Keano coming through, so we’ll find a spot for them all and make it work,” Holbrook said.
“Toby had missed so many games, he’s only had two runs back at Tweed, so that probably worked against him to be honest in terms of this week’s game.
“J.C. has trained so much at six for us because we haven’t had Kieran train for the last five weeks straight. J.C. has trained at six for five weeks so he’s had plenty of practice there.
“It’s too hard to say at this stage (where Sexton’s future lies), we always said we wanted competition for spots and we’ve got that now.
“At the moment this is the best way for our team and in the future I’m not too sure what will be our best combinations but I can only go with worrying about this week and that’s what we’re running with.”
Holbrook confirmed Queensland Origin stars David Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui would take on South Sydney, but was yet to determine whether they would start or come off the bench.