NRL 2024: AJ Brimson signs lifetime deal with Gold Coast Titans

Gold Coast have locked in one of their marquee players on a lifetime deal a week after David Fifita recommitted to the club. Latest NRL Market Watch.

Des Hasler has moved to stave off poaching raids from the NRL’s next expansion club by re-signing Maroons star AJ Brimson for life at the Gold Coast Titans.

Brimson has inked a six-year contract extension which will see him remain at the Gold Coast until at least 2030 and likely finish his NRL career as a one-club player.

Brimson, 25, was already locked up at the Titans until 2026 and the new deal is an extra four years, potentially taking him into a 13th season with Gold Coast.

It is a tremendous show of faith from the Titans to Brimson, the incumbent Queensland No. 1 who is currently sidelined for two months with a groin injury following a sizzling start to the season.

The looming threat of an 18th team entering the league has prompted the Titans to ensure their best talent remains on the Gold Coast.

The Titans received a major boost last week when Queensland forward David Fifita backflipped on a move to the Roosters and committed to Gold Coast until 2026.

AJ Brimson is likely to finish his career as a one-club player. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is also signed until 2033 after inking an NRL record 10-year deal worth $12 million.

The early extension of Brimson is a strategic move on two fronts by the Titans.

The club has a host of top-line talent coming off-contract in 2026, headlined by Brimson, Fifita, Fa’asuamaleaui (player option), Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Beau Fermor, Jayden Campbell, Keano Kini, Phil Sami and Sam Verrills.

By extending Brimson now, long before he becomes a free agent, they can stagger their contract talks with other players instead of having a flood of talent coming off-contract at the same time.

The Titans are also making moves to ward off advances from a cashed-up expansion team, expected to join the NRL from 2028.

The injection of an 18th franchise, potentially with tax incentives if it is based in PNG, will make it more difficult for clubs to retain their top talent.

This deal ensures Brimson cannot become a recruitment target for a new club.

After starting the season at centre, Brimson has been in career-best form since shifting to fullback and is a major loss for the next two months for the 16th-placed Titans.

Originally published as NRL 2024: AJ Brimson signs lifetime deal with Gold Coast Titans