The best four words from AJ Brimson today is... 'yes, I am playing'.
Coming straight from the horse's mouth, the Gold Coast five-eighth is a confirmed starter for the Round 2 clash against the Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium and can't wait to run out in his return game.
"I’m looking forward to it. I had a really good session with the boys today," Brimson said.
"It’s a good opportunity to come home for my return game and I’m really excited."
Match: Titans v Warriors
Round 2 -
home Team
Titans
9th Position
away Team
Warriors
14th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Battling a niggling injury sustained in the pre-season, the No. 6 battled the odds to try and play last week, doing everything he could right up until game day; but club medical staff erred on the side of caution by withdrawing the newly-converted playmaker from the season opener in readiness for week two at home.
"I was a bit 50-50 throughout the week with some lower ab pain connected to the groin," Brimson said.
"I got a bit of training done last week, but I just wasn’t right and didn’t want to go out there and let anyone down. I made the call and Will (Smith) did a great job jumping in there.
"It's frustrating because I had the best pre-season of my career to be honest, and then just a couple of weeks before Round , I had a little bit of a niggle.
"To miss Round 1 was pretty sad, but I didn’t want to go out there after having a really good pre-season and not be where I want to be."
Although disappointed at not being on the field at Parramatta, the 23-year-old feels there is some good with missing the opening match through injury.
"I think it’s important to find the positives with these things," Brimson said.
"Like I am missing footy, but the positive is my legs aren’t as sore as the boys who played last week.
"I should be fresher and there is definitely some wins with those injuries.
Set to run out with a different number jersey on his back - playing the position he debuted in - the new playmaker has adjusted to the change with ease.
"I’m pretty excited. It doesn’t really cross my mind to be honest (that I've changed positions)," Brimson said.
"I’m pretty comfortable as a five-eighth now and it’s something I haven’t even thought of to be honest.
"I guess it’s pretty new to everyone else who hasn’t seen me training for the last five months in the halves, but I’ve been there all pre-season and that’s my focus.
"I’m a half now."
Set to face off against the Titans' former No. 6, Ash Taylor, who will line-up in the halves for the Warriors, Brimson wants him to flourish at his new club, but hopes his best footy will begin in Round 3.
"I’m really happy for Ash. He’s a good mate of mine and I’m happy for him to be out there playing," Brimson said.
"I hope he plays well individually, but not as a team. I’m happy for him to get his crack there and we need to be on our game because we know how dangerous he can be.
"I think we’ll see his best footy, but I hope he leaves that till next week."
Be there at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday, March 19 for the Gold Coast Titans' first home game of the year. A double header with the NRL and NRLW Titans in action. $20 from every ticket goes directly to the club's flood recovery initiative.
