Losing a Titan to rugby could leave another looking for new home in the side

Gold Coast Titans great Preston Campbell has implored incoming coach Josh Hannay to identify where AJ Brimson will play early in his tenure, and enable the versatile star to cement that position for the long haul.

Hannay will step into the furnace when he takes on one of the toughest jobs in the NRL, tasked with transforming the Glitter Strip outfit from perennial underachievers to heavyweights.

Already the former Queensland Maroons and Cronulla Sharks assistant has made his mark, with Wallabies convert Carter Cordon joining prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Super League) and winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Warriors) in being released from their contracts.

Marquee forward David Fifita is also expected to leave for the Rabbitohs.

Gordon, who managed a sole appearance at centre in the club’s final outing of 2025 after suffering a spinal fluid leak, will line up for the Queensland Reds in the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season and challenge Australia five-eighth Tom Lynagh for the No.10 jumper.

“I’m extremely appreciative of the support I received during my injury this year, with the club going above and beyond to get me back on the field playing footy,” said Gordon, the Wallabies’ 2023 Rugby World Cup five-eighth.

“I’ll be forever grateful for my NRL journey with the Titans.”

Gordon’s absence – along with the Kieran Foran’s retirement and the decision not to extend Tom Weaver’s deal – has left a dearth of halves options at Parkwood to partner Jayden Campbell.

Brimson was initially used in the No.6 jumper this year, before shifting to his preferred fullback role when Keano Kini sustained a serious neck injury.

Upon Kini’s comeback to the starting team in round 27 against Wests Tigers, Brimson showed a glimpse of what life as a centre could look like – scoring twice and running for 145 metres, two linebreaks and eight tackle busts.

But wherever Brimson is used, Campbell implored Hannay to allow his X-factor to cement one spot.

“The advantage the club has with AJ is he can play so many positions, but it’s a bit of a disadvantage for AJ because he doesn’t get to play the position he probably thrives in the most,” Campbell said.

“That’s a headache the Gold Coast Titans have had over the last five or so years.

“They’ve had so many players who had the ability to play in multiple positions, it’s just being able to put them in a spot and leave them there, and allow them to grow in that position.

“You look at the names and calibre of players we have, we should be achieving more. There’s something missing. Hopefully, Josh Hannay can be that puzzle piece.”

While Brimson’s form at fullback earned him his maiden Paul Broughton Medal as the Titans’ player of the year, Kini’s ascent before his injury might keep him in the No.1 jumper.

Despite managing only three full games this year, the 21-year-old was parachuted into the New Zealand Test squad for the coming Pacific Championships.

After watching fellow Gold Coast product Reece Walsh ignite the premiership-winning Brisbane Broncos, Kini was determined to bring accolades.

“It was inspiring, but it also hurt – watching them play just motivates me to want to be there, and I really want to see that success for the Gold Coast,” Kini said.

“I know one day we can get there. It was a weird time because I’ve never been injured like that before, but it’s been a blessing in disguise having a bit of time away from the game.”

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