Brimson wins Titans gong, Hannay faces big call in 2026
Joel Gould |
Gold Coast’s everywhere man AJ Brimson has won the Paul Broughton Medal as player of the year, but what position he plays next year remains open.
The 27-year-old started the season at five-eighth before moving to his favourite position of fullback in the wake of a long injury lay-off to New Zealand No.1 Keano Kini.
Brimson finished the year at centre with a magnificent display in the 36-28 win over Wests Tigers, where he scored two tries and showcased his ability to play multiple positions with class.
He finished the year with 13 try assists, 13 line-breaks and scored 12 tries and was a shining light in what was a dark year for the 16th-placed Titans.
Kini and Brimson are signed long-term and the Kiwis star is an out-and-out fullback not suited to other positions in the backline.
Brimson’s own versatility has been a blessing and a curse and has meant he is a coach favourite to be switched to other positions when the team requires it.
Former Wallabies playmaker Carter Gordon, who made his NRL debut against the Tigers at centre, has his sights on a position in the halves next year.
That means Brimson could find himself at left centre when incoming coach Josh Hannay takes over from Des Hasler in 2026.
After winning the award, Brimson said he would rather play at five eighth than centre.
Brimson, who was coming off two injury-ravaged years, played a career-high 23 matches for the season.
While the Titans finished the final third of the season with a whimper, Brimson stormed home to poll 16 of an available 24 points in the player-of-the-year tally in the final eight rounds to finish on 27 points.
He finished ahead of captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (20), halfback Jayden Campbell (15) and prop Jaimin Jolliffe (15).
After switching international allegiance mid-season, Brimson is now right on track to be called up for England for the upcoming Ashes Test series.
Retiring legend Kieran Foran said the Titans would prosper in future with dazzling backs such as Brimson, Campbell and Kini on the books.
“AJ, I have been so impressed with. He has had one of his most consistent years and has clearly been our best player this season,” Foran told AAP.
“Keano has come back from neck surgery so strong. The kid is electric. He is only going to go from strength to strength because he is early on in his career.
“I’ve been really happy for JC (Campbell) and the way he stepped into that seven role this year and played great, consistent footy.
“It’s a role he hasn’t played before, but it shows the work he has put into his game, and I think he has got levels to go get in that jersey.”
In the NRLW awards, Titans prop Jess Elliston earned her second player-of-the-year title after dominating in the middle of the park.
The Queensland and Jillaroos powerhouse is currently the top forward in the competition for run metres and post-contact metres, edging out Georgia Hale and Shaylee Bent for the top gong.
AAP
