New Titans coach Des Hasler has made a huge call regarding the season outlook of a couple of his backline stars.
The Broncos have announced an exciting promotional partnership with NFL legend Tom Brady, who is set to visit Brisbane later this month.
Meanwhile, there’s an exciting young forward set to be unleashed by coach Kevin Walters.
New Titans coach Des Hasler was expected to come and shake things up on the Gold Coast, and he’s wasted little time doing so, with star AJ Brimson set for a positional change in 2024.
Due to the continued emergence of livewire Jayden Campbell last season, Hasler’s hand has been forced as he’s set to shift Brimson from fullback into the centres.
Brimson represented the Maroons at fullback in Game III last year, but barring any setbacks, will be beginning 2024 in the centres according to The Daily Telegraph.
That opens up Campbell to play fullback whenever he returns from a knee injury.
Campbell was often the Titans’ greatest attacking threat last season but his minutes were limited at times due to beginning on the interchange.
Hasler clearly believes a bench role is a waste on someone of the ilk of Campbell.
Campbell was tried in the halves last season, but as he said in an interview last November, he wants to make the Titans no.1 jersey his.
“I feel like that’s my best position, I feel like that’s where I play my best, so I’d love to lock that spot down,” Campbell said.
With that said, the son of NRL great Preston, is facing stiff competition from teenager Keano Kini.
Kini was outstanding in Queensland Cup last season and was earmarked as a player of the future after six NRL appearances in 2023.
Former Titans football manager Scott Sattler says it is Campbell’s job to lose, but noted Kini has been an eye-catcher during pre-season training.
“Kini is a pretty special talent,” Sattler said.
“If Jayden Campbell is fit he’s the obvious No. 1 but it’s going to be a good little fight. There’s no substitute for speed and Kini’s got plenty of it.”
Sattler also believes the decision to shift Brimson into the centres is the right one and will make the Titans a “better strike force”.
“It doesn’t surprise me because you’ve got to find a place for your best players,” Sattler said.
“The fortunate part about AJ’s game is he’s so versatile. You can play him in the halves, fullback, centres or utility, but he’s too good for that. He’s the one that’s far more adaptable to any sort of game.
“Playing centre is going to be a really good shift for him. I think AJ will become a centre at Origin level or at worst the next Queensland No. 14 when Ben Hunt retires.”
