‘He’s our Turbo or Teddy': Holbrook shares importance of Brimson’s return
Justin Holbrook has lauded the return of AJ Brimson ahead of the Titans' Thursday night showdown against the Tigers, highlighting the importance of his inclusion in the must-win clash at home.
Having missed the past month of footy due to a hamstring injury, the Gold Coast No. 1 has been welcomed back with open arms for what's expected to be a challenging encounter against the fledgling Tigers who have been prowling for the past month since finding their mojo against the Panthers in Round 9.
The Titans coach feels the 25-year-old is one of the club's key men for the clash, putting Brimson on the same pedestal as some of the other top fullbacks in the game.
"He's huge for us and I don't want to downplay his importance," Holbrook said.
"To have AJ back is as important to us as Turbo (Tom Trbojevic) is for Manly and [James] Tedesco is the Roosters because he's that good.
"He's fit, firing and he's a huge boost for our team."
Match: Titans v Wests Tigers
Round 15 -
home Team
Titans
11th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Needing to rectify the second half fadeouts that have been troubling the Titans over the past six weeks, Holbrook feels it's quite a simple focus to turn around the results and is expecting his 91-game star and ever-reliable prop Jaimin Jolliffe, who is also returning since Round 1, will be able to change that.
"We've just got to get it done, don't we... and we all know it and we all know it's an issue," he said.
"I think we sit second in defence at half-time but at full-time, we're last by a mile... so we've just got to get it done [and finish games off strong] otherwise the stigma is going to be there.
"The added personnel will help and Jimmy Jolliffe is another good one coming back in our size... Sam Verrills was rusty on the weekend but he'll be better and we have Brian Kelly back this week will experience.
"You've just got to have your key guys out there and those boys will help and I'm confident going in that we we can fix up our issues."
The Titans coach knows the challenge will be no easy feat against the Tigers, who will be a much better side since the Gold Coast defeated them 22-10 at Leichhardt Oval in Round 1.
"I think just from looking at them, the pressure is off them now. They had a lot of pressure early to try and win games and then everyone went away from them and that really ignited him," Holbrook said.
"I think they're playing freely now and playing confidently and are a completely different footy side than what they were four weeks ago.
"They're very, very dangerous and will back in their skill. Probably everything they spoke about the pre-season, is what they are showing now.
"Obviously with Api [Koroisau] and Luke Brooks playing fantastic and with their hard working forward packs, they are a good side and we're well aware of that."
