‘A huge strike weapon’: Foran declares Brimson will be a “nightmare” for rival clubs, unsure whether this season will be his last

The Titans could be one of the NRL’s big improvers under Des Hasler, with a star player’s shift to the centres set to make their attack even more threatening.

AJ Brimson’s move to the centres could be bad news for rival teams. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Veteran five-eighth Kieran Foran has warned rivals centres that AJ Brimson will be a “nightmare” for them in defence as he prepares to make a permanent switch from fullback to allow the club’s brightest young stars to battle it out for the No.1 jersey.

Brimson has played a grand total of one game at centre where he scored a try in the win over Canterbury in the final round of the 2023 season on a day that saw teen sensation Keano Kini excel at the back.

Kini is now expected to duke it out with Jayden Campbell for the fullback role, with the latter on track to win the starting spot as long as he recovers well from knee surgery.

Brimson is more than capable of handling any position in the backline, with the Maroons representative likely to start at right centre in their first NRL game against the Dragons on March 9.

The switch could be a blessing in disguise for Brimson who has suffered a number of serious issues during his career, with a move out wide likely to ease the load on his body.

AJ Brimson has played a number of positions for the Titans and Maroons. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“It’s no secret now, I think AJ will be moved into the centres,” Foran said on Monday.

“He’s another one for me that’s been a standout (in the pre-season).

“He’s so electric, and I think in that position you’re coming up against guys one-on-one and you’ve got a bit of space inside and out, and so for a guy like him, he’s that fast off the mark that if you give him an inch then he’s off and gone.

“He seems to have really moulded into that role now and he’s thoroughly enjoying it. With the short conversations I’ve had with him, he’s loving it.

“He’s going to be a huge strike weapon for us out there.

“You’ve got to find space for these guys to be on the field at the same time.

“He’s got fuel in the tank sitting out there. He’ll be an opposition centre’s nightmare.”

Kieran Foran isn’t sure if this will be his final year in the NRL. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

As for Foran, this could be his final year in the NRL with the experienced playmaker off-contract at the end of the season.

Injuries have plagued him in recent years but he’s coming off an outstanding 2023 campaign that saw him play for the Kiwis at the end of the year.

He finished the season with three tries in that win over the Bulldogs, and there’s every chance he could play on again in 2025 if his body is still feeling good.

“I battled a few niggling injuries last season, but the fact I was able to punch out the minutes I did … gave me great belief,” he said, keen to work with new Titans coach Des Hasler again.

“There’s plenty of fuel left in the tank. I’m my own harshest critic and I’ll be holding myself to that level all year.”

Originally published as ‘A huge strike weapon’: Foran declares Brimson will be a “nightmare” for rival clubs, unsure whether this season will be his last