Oh no! Twin blows for rebuilding Titans

UPDATE: The Titans have suffered twin blows ahead of Saturday’s NRL clash with the Sharks. SUBSCRIBE TO READ MORE TITANS NEWS

AJ Brimson of the Titans looks on at full-time during the Round 24 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Melbourne Storm at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Saturday, August 25, 2018. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

UPDATE: The Titans have suffered twin blows ahead of Saturday’s NRL clash with the Sharks.

Kevin Proctor (bicep, two weeks) and Phillip Sami (dislocated shoulder, up to six weeks) have both been scratched for the 3pm match at Cbus Super Stadium.

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The pair went down in separate training incidents on Wednesday, though neither need surgery.

Beau Fermor could make his debut, while coach Justin Holbrook will wait until game day to finalise his squad.

“It is obviously disappointing when you lose any player to injury, but particularly two of our best players and two guys who had been playing some good footy,” Holbrook said.

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“The positive news is I guess that the scans came back with much better results than we had initially feared, and they will at least be back on the field relatively soon.

“The other thing is that incidents like this provide an opportunity for other players to get a chance, so we expect the guys that are given that opportunity to make the most of it.”

EARLIER

Corey Thompson signed with the Gold Coast Titans to chase his dream of playing fullback in the NRL.

For the next 12 weeks his wish has been granted but his time is running out as incumbent AJ Brimson heals from a serious back injury.

The next three months will prove a high-stakes audition for the former Tiger to stake his claim on the blue-and-gold No.1 jersey he moved states to make his own.

Thompson has played enough professional football to know the only way to keep his jersey is to earn it on the field.

Corey Thompson of the Titans (left) fends off Joe Ofahengaue of the Broncos during the Round 7 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, June 27, 2020. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

“(Coach Justin Holbrook) told me AJ was injured and if I’m not playing well AJ is going to take it off me,” Thompson said.

“You know I’m going to be pushing to stay at No.1 and AJ is also going to be pushing for it and that’s going to be a good thing for the club.

“I want to stay there but if you’ve got two players and I end up on the wing then so be it, I’ll do my job on the wing and do my best for the team.”

Halves Ash Taylor and Jamal Fogarty have been integral in fusing Thompson into the Titans spine but the most surprising ally to emerge has been 21-year-old Brimson himself.

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The youngster is only now returning to running but his gamesense has been sharpened by teaching the veteran custodian, nine years his senior, the subtleties of fullback play in the Titans’ system.

“It might be weird for the outside world to hear but he’s helping me grow as a fullback,” Thompson said.

“I’ll be helping him too when he comes back.”

AJ Brimson of the Titans looks on at full-time during the Round 24 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Melbourne Storm at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Saturday, August 25, 2018. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

The prospect of the two fullbacks joining forces in the outside backs is an exciting one because the pair share a love for pressuring defenders.

“It would be good because we sort of have the same strengths,” Thompson said.

“We love being around the ruck with those offloads and quick play-the-balls.

“If we’re both on the field at the same time it can only be a good thing for the Titans.”