NRL 2022: AJ Brimson stars as Gold Coast Titans defeat NZ Warriors

Titans star AJ Brimson began his new life as a five-eighth in fine style against the Warriors in the heat, which took its toll on Gold Coast’s power forward David Fifita.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 19: Titans coach Justin Holbrook looks on during the NRL trial match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Brisbane Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium on February 19, 2022 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

AJ Brimson made a blistering switch to five-eighth as the Gold Coast Titans escaped with a 20-18 win against the Warriors in a Cbus Super Stadium thriller.

On a scorching Gold Coast afternoon, the Warriors lost prop Matt Lodge to a combination of illness and heat stroke after he left the field vomiting following his opening 20-minute stint.

It looked like another 44-0 blitz was on the cards when the Titans burst out to a 12-0 lead inside 15 minutes, but the plucky Warriors refused to go away and could have snatched victory late.

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But it was the brilliance of Brimson that proved to be the difference as winger Greg Marzhew bagged a double to deliver the Titans their first victory of 2022.

In his first appearance in the No.6 jersey since an off-season switch from fullback, the Titans dynamo created two tries to be the most dominant playmaker on the pitch as Warriors halfback Ash Taylor’s return to the Gold Coast ended in heartbreak.

AJ Brimson was outstanding for the Titans. Picture: NRL Photos

“I’m really happy to get the win,” Titans coach Justin Holbrook said.

“We need that willingness to just defend. We were on our line a lot but kept hanging in there.

“In the first two rounds we haven’t conceded a try in the second half and we’ve played in really hot conditions. We’ll take a lot of confidence out of that.”

ONCE WERE WARRIORS

Coach Nathan Brown pulled no punches in expressing his disappointment after the Warriors bombed two late tries.

“It wasn’t good enough if you want to win games,” he said.

“We’re past developing guys. We want to win games. It’s not good enough.

“It was a good effort to get back into the game but it’s not acceptable with where we want to be as a football club. You can’t drop the ball with the line open twice.”

For all of his attacking brilliance, Warriors fullback Reece Walsh is practically a defensive turnstile.

There are few players with sharper feet in the game and he wants the ball when the game is in the balance, but Walsh is near ineffective when it comes to defending his own line.

Reece Walsh was exposed in defence again on his own line. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The best fullbacks in the game are as good at saving tries as they are at scoring them and it’s a major part of Walsh’s game that has to improve before he can be considered an elite No. 1.

“I’d like to wait another few weeks and see where Reece is at,” Brown said.

“He is an exciting young talent. He has some real focus areas for himself and over the next five weeks we’d like to see some growth there.”

FIFITA BATTLES IN HEAT

Just days after declaring he wanted to be an 80-minute forward, David Fifita suffered cramps with the game on the line. With the Titans leading 20-18, Fifita had to go off with 15 minutes to go and didn’t get back on the field.

He had only managed seven carries for 48m but Holbrook was pleased with Fifita’s efforts and his sublime cut-out pass for Marzhew to score.

“He had cramps, it’s happened to a lot of players,” he said.

“For a big strong guy like Dave to play in that temperature (is difficult). He was exceptional.

“He wanted to stay out there but was cramping up. He did some big things for us.

“It’s going to take him a while. He is an explosive power athlete. He has handled the conditions as good as anybody.”

Beau Fermor looks for an offload against the Warriors. Picture: NRL Photos

TITANS NEED TO MUSCLE UP

The Titans play one of the most entertaining brands of attacking football in the NRL.

They aren’t scared to chance their arm and take a game on. They can score from anywhere on the field, as shown by Brimson in the opening set of the game when he busted through to put Beau Fermor over.

But it’s a different story when it comes to their defence.

For too long the Titans have been defensively soft and that has to change consistently if they want to be a serious NRL title contender.

Warriors hooker Wayde Egan crossed way too easily to open scoring for the visitors and it’s a recurring theme for the Gold Coast.

The Titans broke a five-year finals drought last year with a 10-14 record but they conceded a whopping 583 points at an average of 24 per game.

They can’t keep leaking so many points if they want to be a premiership heavyweight.

Holbrook sees folly of ‘bias’ call in wrong forum

-Travis Meyn

Titans coach Justin Holbrook has stood by his controversial comments about the Gold Coast being dudded but admitted he shouldn’t make public accusations after being warned by NRL chief Andrew Abdo.

Abdo called Holbrook during the week to discuss the coach’s claims of officiating bias against his team following last week’s round 1 loss to Parramatta at CommBank Stadium.

In his post-game press conference after the 32-28 defeat, an emotional Holbrook claimed the Titans didn’t get 50-50 calls because they weren’t “one of the big clubs” and “were on the wrong end of them (decisions) all last year and again”.

Justin Holbrook was filthy after the Titans were edged out by the Eels in round one.

Holbrook made similar comments last year, but this time he caught the attention of Abdo, who warned the third-year coach about questioning the integrity of match officials.

When asked if he stood by the comments or wanted to apologise, Holbrook said: “I don’t think I needed to discuss it then.

“I don’t feel I was wrong, that’s why I said it. My exact words were ‘I’m being honest here’. But it’s not the right forum to come across. it doesn’t look good for the game and us.

“If we had played better we would have won. If those decisions go against us and you still win the game, I’m not going to be carrying on about it.

“You’ve got to do it the right way. I don’t think that’s a good example.”

The Titans were on the wrong end of a 7-1 penalty count and Parramatta made three successful captain’s challenges, prompting Holbrook’s outburst.

The game was decided by three Parramatta penalty goals in the last 13 minutes, but Holbrook said the Titans had to earn the praise of commentators beginning in Saturday’s round 2 clash against the Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium.

“I’ve calmed down a lot since,” he said.

“When you calm down and watch the game again, we made nine errors in a row in the second half. We kept inviting them back in. If we had of played better it wouldn’t have come to that.

The Titans were on the wrong end of a big penalty count against the Eels.

“I don’t want to be a coach that’s looking for excuses because it gives my players an out. I was frustrated after the game.

“I am (disappointed we didn’t get credit for our performance) and we’re going to get that until we beat those sides. That’s up to us to change perceptions. Until we beat those sides, we’re going to cop that.

“The club and NRL spoke to me. That’s good. I’ve got to realise the importance of my role in the game. I don’t want to be one that complains about decisions because it’s up to us as a team.

“If we play better and start beating those big sides, that’s how we’re going to earn credibility, not through me complaining.”

Titan’s secret mentoring from Broncos board member

Titans dynamo AJ Brimson believes secret mentoring from Queensland legend Darren Lockyer has primed him to make a successful transition from fullback to five-eighth in 2022.

Gold Coast fans will get their first glimpse of Brimson in his new role when he makes his season debut against the Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.

While the pocket rocket came into the NRL as a five-eighth in 2018, Brimson made a home for himself at fullback and made his Origin debut for the Maroons at No.1 in 2020.

But the emergence of Jayden Campbell at fullback last year prompted Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook to shift Brimson to halves, where he will play the senior playmaking role alongside rookie halfback Toby Sexton in 2022.

AJ Brimson will return for the Titans this weekend. Picture: NRL Imagery

Brimson, 23, sought guidance from one of the greatest players to ever make the same positional shift following advice from The Courier-Mail, who orchestrated the meeting between the rising star and Broncos great.

Now a Maroons and Kangaroos selector, Lockyer was arguably the NRL’s best fullback when he switched to five-eighth in 2004 before going on to win the 2006 premiership and dominate at Test and Origin level in the position.

A Broncos board member, Lockyer put club ties aside to offer words of wisdom to Brimson ahead of a pivotal moment in his 63-game NRL career.

“It was good for him to take time out of his day to talk to me and help out a fellow Queenslander. I’m someone who idolised him so it’s pretty cool (to have him mentor me),” Brimson said.

“We spoke about the transition from fullback to five-eighth as he is probably the best player to have ever done it.

Broncos legend Darren Lockyer has been helping AJ Brimson adjust to his new role at the Titans. Picture: Liam Kidston

“It was about your mindset focus. You have to think about switching from being a ballrunner to a distributor. You don’t want to take away from your running game, but you have to think differently about how you can free up players around you.

“He said I shouldn’t go away from what works. At the end of the day it’s still rugby league. It’s a different position but what’s worked for me in the past can still work for me now.”

Brimson will make his first appearance of the year against the Warriors after missing last week’s round 1 loss to Parramatta with a groin/stomach injury.

After the best pre-season of his injury-plagued career, Brimson was struck down by the issue in the week before the Eels game and wasn’t confident of playing.

While he is not 100 per cent, Brimson said he wouldn’t be a liability against the Warriors, who will be looking for revenge after losing last year’s corresponding clash 44-0.

“It is frustrating, I had the best pre-season of my career,” he said.

AJ Brimson is excited about his shift to five-eighth this season. Picture: NRL Photos

“To miss round one was a bit sad, but I didn’t want to go out there after having a good pre-season and not be where I wanted to be.

“It’s important to try and find the positives with those things. I missed a game but my legs aren’t as sore as the boys that played last week. I should be fresher, so there’s some wins with those injuries.

“I don’t think anyone really feels 100 per cent during the season. It’s pretty rare to be feeling perfect, but I’m ready to go.

“I’m pretty excited (to be playing five-eighth). It doesn’t really cross my mind. I’m comfortable as a five-eighth now. It’s not something I’ve even thought about.

“I guess it’s new for everyone else who hasn’t seen me training for the last five months, but for me I’ve been in the halves all pre-season. I’m a half now. I haven’t put much thought into it.”