AJ Brimson’s stellar player of the match performance in Sunday’s home clash at Cbus Super Stadium not only helped the Titans to a stirring victory, but it has also put the Gold Coast half in the mix with some of the NRL’s playmaker heavyweights.
Adding another two try assists to his personal tally of 15 for the season, it has jettisoned him into the top 10 for that stat this season, joining the raft of stars such as Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses (22), the Roosters’ Luke Keary (19) and Dally M leader Ben Hunt (16).
With much said about Brimson’s ideal position after his shift from fullback to five-eighth this season to accommodate electrifying No. 1 Jayden Campbell, what is clear is the 23-year-old is capable of filling any position Justin Holbrook assigns to the talented star.
AJ on a roll
“He’s just one of those great players,” the Titans coach said after his side’s victory against Newcastle on Sunday.
“We’ve had to shuffle him around due to injury and things like that and AJ has played at both one and six. When you’re one of the great footy players like he is, they can just do that.
"Cameron Munster moved from six to one and he’s been great, and Joseph Manu moves from one to six to centre.
"When AJ’s at the top of his game like he was [on Sunday], he’s exceptional wherever he’s playing for us and that’s the beauty of him
"He’s just a dangerous threat the whole time and defends really well.
"I’m not sure the answer in the future whether he’s our six or one, but he’ll be there somewhere and he has contributed massively for us."
A.J. all the way
In other key stats heading into the final regular round of the NRL season, inspirational skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is fourth in post-contact metres with 1,433 metres; and has also moved into the top 10 with run metres this season after smashing over 250 metres on Sunday – notching up 3,383 overall metres despite missing three games this year.
Greg Marzhew continues his defensive busting form, fifth in the competition for tackle breaks with 103 – his highest being a whopping 15 against the Rabbitohs in Round 15; meanwhile, Brian Kelly continue to be elusive in latching onto loose passes, fifth on the intercept tally with three.
