Less than six months into his coaching tenure at the Gold Coast Titans, Josh Hannay is set to face his most difficult task yet and that is what to do about English international AJ Brimson.
In the prime of his playing career, AJ Brimson has been one of the best players at the Titans for a number of years having come through their ranks at the age of 15 before starting full-time in 2017.
However, the ex-Maroons representative is facing an uncertain future at the Titans with Code Sports reporting that multiple Sydney-based teams are closely monitoring his contract situation at the moment.
The Bulldogs were named as one team who have inquired about Brimson.
Although it is understood that he has no desire to leave the Titans and remains under contract there until the end of the decade, there is a sense that he may be frustrated by the constant changes in position.
Over the past few seasons, he has been unable to cement a permanent position, having played at fullback (now occupied by Keano Kini), the halves (now occupied by Jayden Campbell and Zane Harrison), and in the centres.
“He doesn’t want to be a centre,” Code Sports journalist Brent Read, who reported the story, said on NRL 360.
“He thinks he’s a fullback and that’s going to be an issue because he’s not going to play fullback at that football club with Keano Kini.”
Gorden Tallis, a part-owner at the Titans, said the club would want to keep Brimson as he is one of their “best players” and a local junior.
“At our club the best option is for him to play in the centres,” Tallis added on NRL 360.
However, Code Sports reporter Michael Carayannis urged the Titans to let Brimson walk, arguing it would be the best result for both parties.
“They’ve got to let him go… for the balance of your salary cap you’re paying $900,000 for a bloke who is not a centre… we’ve seen repeated coaches try to nail this puzzle. No one has got it right,” he said.
“They’ve danced around this issue for too long. The best outcome for AJ Brimson and the Titans is to part ways.”
Given reports that he wants to play in the No.1 jersey, it’s hard to see him joining the Broncos, Cowboys, Dragons, Dolphins, Eels, Knights, Rabbitohs, Raiders, Storm, Warriors or Wests Tigers, as they all have their long-term fullbacks.
But this could see him as a potential signing for the Sea Eagles, Panthers and Roosters, all of whom are looking to replace their elite fullback options in the coming seasons.
Meanwhile, the Canterbury Bulldogs and Cronulla Sharks have made it no secret that they’re in the market for someone to play fullback.
BULLDOGS’ BID FOR VERRILLS ‘NOT HAPPENING’ ANYMORE
While the Bulldogs may be sniffing around Brimson, it sounds like any chance of Sam Verrills landing at the club next year is gone.
Phil Gould was spotted meeting with the out-of-favour Titans hooker at Magic Round last week and lashed out at the “moron” who snapped the photo.
Gould said he had “12 of 14 meetings” around Brisbane over the four days he was there and as it turns out, the Bulldogs appear to be out of the race for Verrills’ signature now anyway.
“My understand is it is not happening,” Brent Read reported on NRL 360.
“I think there are some concerns over his injury history and I think that’s scared them away.”
WATSON SET TO JOIN CHIEFS… BUT NOT BEFORE NRL SWITCH
Roosters utility Connor Watson is set to join expansion side the PNG Chiefs in 2028 via a one year stint with the rebuilding St George Illawarra Dragons.
Zero Tackle reported Watson is set to ink a one-year deal with the Dragons for 2027, before linking up with the PNG Chiefs from their inaugural season for two years.
The Dragons deal would be similar to Jonah Pezet’s one-year stay at the Eels before he joins with the Broncos on a three-year deal from 2027.
Watson toured the PNG Chiefs facilities in Port Moresby over the weekend and arrived back in Australia on Monday with an offer on the table.
Watson is contracted to the Roosters until the end of the 2027 season, but the club is open to letting him leave early if he can strike a deal elsewhere.
The 29-year-old has scored 34 tries in 177 NRL games for the Roosters and Knights since his debut in 2016 and has played five Origins for NSW to date.
However, the arrival of Reece Robson at the Roosters has seen Watson shifted back to bench utility and it is understood he covets the No.13 role, which is held by Victor Radley at the club.
Sydney Morning Herald journalist Adrian Proszenko told 2GB’s Offload podcast that Watson and his partner were impressed with what they saw from the PNG Chiefs.
“Connor Watson only came back from PNG last night, so he had the tour, he had the red carpet there for him,” Proszenko said.
“Michael Chammas [Chiefs director of football] wasn’t there, it was Lorna McPherson the CEO who showed him around and also Connor Watson’s partner.
“She is a model. They basically have to decide if they go over there, will she be able to continue doing her work or will she have to fly in and fly out.
“What I’ve been told is that they were impressed with what they saw and that there is a two-year deal there on the table for him.”
However, Watson is unlikely to remain at the Roosters in 2027, with the Dragons sety to snare his signature on a short-term deal.
The Dragons are in an aggressive recruitment drive to turn the struggling club around and have signed Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater, Titans outside back Phillip Sami, Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf and Rabbitohs prop Keaon Koloamatangi to their roster for 2027.
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