NRL 2023: Titans, Locked in: Brimson's position confirmed for Panthers showdown

Author: Titans.com.au
Timestamp: Fri 18 Aug 2023, 05:29 PM

Titans coach Jim Lenihan has confirmed AJ Brimson will return to fullback should he be passed fit to play for Saturday's Round 25 clash against the Panthers.

Named on the extended bench earlier this week, the 24-year-old has looked to overcome an oblique tear after getting through training without incident with the final decision to be made on game day, likely seeing the experienced star return after missing the past fortnight.

"We're expecting Brimmo to start at fullback for us this week," Lenihan said at the Titans' captain's run.

"He got through training the other day unscathed which was really good and he's now just got to tick some boxes, but he should be good to go.

"[It's definitely a boost because] I think this week against Penrith and playing against Cleary, there's a lot of tactical stuff with our numbers certainly at our try-line and defensively getting ourselves set.

"The experience of AJ and [having him] for the game against Penrith is certainly good for us just to tactically get our defensive structure organised and our numbers and our splits good.

"It'll be valuable for us in our good ball defence this week."

The change will push Keano Kini - who is currently named at fullback - to 18th man; meanwhile, the remainder of the team remains as per program for the clash.

Tony Francis, Joe Vuna and Josiah Pahulu have all been cut from the reserves - the trio expecting to play in the final regular round of the Hostplus Cup this weekend.

Kick-off is at 5.30pm on Saturday - the second of two games at Cbus Super Stadium.

Round 25 - Round 25 - Saturday 19 Aug

Full Time

Titans

Panthers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Titans is number 19 AJ Brimson

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira

Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly

Centre for Panthers is number 3 Tyrone Peachey
Centre for Titans is number 4 Aaron Schoupp

Centre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen Crichton
Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami

Winger for Panthers is number 21 Thomas Jenkins
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Jayden Campbell

Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tom Weaver

Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Forwards

Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Chris Randall

Hooker for Panthers is number 18 Jack Cogger
Prop for Titans is number 15 Isaac Liu

Prop for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita

2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Klese Haas

2nd Row for Panthers is number 20 Zac Hosking
Lock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

Interchange for Titans is number 10 Jaimin Jolliffe

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Soni Luke
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Kruise Leeming

Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Joe Stimson

Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Luke Garner
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Jacob Alick-Wiencke

Interchange for Panthers is number 22 Spencer Leniu