Settled Brimson revelling in fullback freedom at Titans

AJ Brimson impressed at fullback as the Titans won in Auckland against the Warriors. (Alan Lee/AAP PHOTOS)

AJ Brimson has found his freedom, switched to his favourite position of fullback for the Gold Coast Titans after a month-long experiment at centre fell flat.

The Queensland representative was at his brilliant best in scoring two tries and running for 186 metres in the Titans' 27-24 win at the Warriors on Anzac Day, their first victory of the season.

Gold Coast host second-placed Melbourne on Saturday night and Brimson, who had four underwhelming games at centre to start the year, is relishing playing in the position where he represented the Maroons in game three of last year's State of Origin series.

The 25-year-old has been far more dangerous at fullback for the past fortnight, and at No.6 the week before that.

"It’s more freedom back there and I’m definitely enjoying it more," Brimson said.

“I’m just happy to be back around the footy.

“I always thought I belonged in the spine, or was at least good enough to be there.

“When I got my chance I was so eager to do stuff. Taking that mindset and confidence in has helped me."

The original plan this year was for Brimson to play centre and Jayden Campbell to be fullback.

Campbell missed the opening three rounds with a patella injury, and when he damaged his knee again in round six Brimson slotted back to No.1.

The Brisbane-born back said he never considered spitting the dummy and looking to move elsewhere.

“I don’t think centre was going to be a five-year plan for me," he said.

“I want to stay at Gold Coast so it was more about me being optimistic.

“If I was centre and we were 7-0 I’d be stoked. It was about seeing how the season panned out, and it’s panned out this way.

“We’ll see what happens in the future, but I wasn’t looking to leave."

After narrow losses to Canberra and Manly in games they could easily have won, the Titans' defence in the last 20 minutes against the Warriors was first class.

They will need to replicate that against the high-flying Storm.

“We’ve had the confidence for a month, where we’ve been thereabouts," Brimson said.

“It’s important to start putting wins on the board.

“There’s a bit of belief in the group and it was a good win to be part of (against the Warriors) with the occasion and the way it finished with our goal-line defence.

“Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come."

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store