They may only be 21 and 22-years-old respectively, but Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and AJ Brimson are arguably already beyond their years.
The two Queensland State of Origin team-mates have both said that playing a leadership role amongst the squad is something that comes naturally.
While the Titans have experienced leaders in Kevin Proctor and Jamal Fogarty and senior players like Jarrod Wallace, Corey Thompson, Mitch Rein and Tyrone Peachey, there is a core group of young players in their early 20's that are establishing themselves as key cogs in the Gold Coast club's future.
Fa’asumaleaui told Justin Horo in his podcast "The Scope", that age shouldn't be a factor when it comes to leadership.
He says even in his first season at the club, it’s been important to set the tone of how to act.
“We’re still young,” Fa’asumaleaui said.
“But we've sought of got to lead the way for the younger fellas, set the standards for, you know, our future going forward.”
Fullback, AJ Brimson was praised the way his teammate carries himself.
“Tino’s obviously brought good values from Melbourne which has been good for our forwards,” Brimson said.
“Even though he’s young, he’s got the respect of the middles.”
Brimson also plays a crucial role in leading the inexperienced side.
“Justin [Holbrook] tries to put a bit of ownership on me, especially with the back five,” he said.
“And I like doing that sort of stuff and you know, trying to be bit of a leader.
Brimson said he is definitely not the type of leader to bark out a speech to the team.
“But just in little areas and that off the field, I like to use the short experience that I do have,” he said.
Brimson said that coach Justin Holbrook encourages all players to take a leadership role.
“We don’t have so much of leadership group,” Brimson said.
“He (Holbrook) tends to think ‘oh, you know, if you have a leadership group then it allows others to kind of put everything on them’.
“So he wants kind of everyone to lead in their own way.”
Fellow 21-year-old's Moeaki Fotuaika and David Fifita have also played representative football, as has 24-year-old Phillip Sami, while Jayden Campbell (21), Toby Sexton (20) and Beau Fermor (22) also form part of the Titans exciting young contingent.
