NRL 2024: Titans coach Des Hasler set to shift AJ Brimson to centre as Jayden Campbell, Keano Kini battle for fullback spot

Gold Coast Titans coach Des Hasler has wasted no time making a selection bombshell, with an Queensland Origin star set to be stripped of the No.1 jersey.

Des Hasler is making moves at the Titans, with AJ Brimson set for a move to the centres. Picture: Getty Images

Titans coach Des Hasler is set to make a major selection call by shifting Origin star AJ Brimson to centre as Jayden Campbell faces a fight for Gold Coast’s No. 1 jersey from a teen sensation.

Brimson is expected to start the 2024 NRL premiership at centre in the first move by Hasler to resurrect the Titans following back-to-back bottom four finishes.

Brimson played fullback for Queensland in last year’s final State of Origin game and has long been Gold Coast’s top No. 1.

However the rise of Campbell, who is most comfortable at fullback, has left Hasler with a selection conundrum in his first season in charge of the Titans.

Des Hasler is making moves at the Titans, with AJ Brimson set for a move to the centres. Picture: Getty Images

Hasler is expected to solve the problem by moving Brimson to centre, allowing Campbell to start the season at fullback if he makes a successful return from knee surgery.

Brimson said earlier in the pre-season he was open to playing centre and it appears that will be the case after he finished last season in the position and has been training there in recent weeks.

“Fullback is my favourite spot, but Des is the big dog and Des will pick the team,” Brimson said.

“At the end of the day, whatever team he wants, I think he’s going to pick to give us the best chance to win the comp.

“I’ll have to kind of learn (to play centre) this pre-season, but I am open to doing that … we’ll see what happens. I’m open to everything and am being optimistic.

“I love playing for the Titans and living on the Gold Coast, so I’m happy to play anywhere … I just want to play finals footy.”

Brimson has struggled with injuries at fullback. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Moving Brimson to centre will reduce the physical load on the injury-prone speedster, which could help him spend more time on the field instead of the sidelines.

Former Titans football manager Scott Sattler said the move made sense and Brimson could follow the Valentine Holmes pathway and become a representative centre.

“It doesn’t surprise me because you’ve got to find a place for your best players,” he 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.

“He will make the Titans a better strike force with him in the centres and Jayden at fullback.”

Jayden Campbell is on the comeback from knee surgery. Picture: Getty Images

But while Campbell is set to win the No. 1 race, he also faces competition for his favoured position from rising talent Keano Kini.

Kini, 19, was man-of-the-match in a losing Burleigh team in last year’s Hostplus Cup grand final and has been touted as a future NRL fullback superstar.

Kini has reportedly been training the house down at fullback during the pre-season while Campbell has been sidelined and is on track for more NRL action in 2024 following his six games last year.

Keano Kini is putting the heat on Campbell. Picture: Supplied

“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.

“What we saw in that Queensland Cup grand final last year is even in pressure situations he will do everything he can to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

“The Titans are in a good position with the amount of strike they’ve got. A lot of clubs would love the depth they’ve got.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Titans coach Des Hasler set to shift AJ Brimson to centre as Jayden Campbell, Keano Kini battle for fullback spot