Rugby league greats Darren Lockyer and Brad Fittler are tipping the Titans to face some serious selection headaches following the emergence of young star Jayden Campbell.
Campbell, son of rugby league great Preston Campbell, yesterday signed a long-term deal which will see the 21-year-old remain a Titan until the end of 2024.
The rising star’s re-commitment to the club comes after a two-try performance against the Storm last week, in which he lined up at fullback in replacement of the injured AJ Brimson.
But with Brimson recently locking in a mega five-year, $3 million contract to also remain on the Gold Coast, the club now faces a difficult decision on how to fit both stars in.
Lockyer was asked if Brimson could shift to five-eighth and become a playmaker, but the Broncos great conceded that might be too big an task for the 22-year-old.
“It’s a tough one,” Lockyer told Wide World of Sports’ QLDER.
“I think AJ’s best position is fullback, but if you’re trying to fit both of them in the team, I don’t know whether organising plays is the best thing for AJ.
“I think if AJ could handle being in the middle; he could make a good hooker.
“Out of dummy-half, he has that speed off the mark and he’s quite tough and strong. He can be a hooker.
“But that’s not an easy position to transition to from fullback when you’re used to running all day and not making a lot of tackles.
“I guess it’s a good headache for the Titans to have.”
Meanwhile, Fittler said the Titans could look at putting Brimson at centre and using him in a role that will see him come into play in a roving second fullback capacity, similar to how NSW used Tom Trbojevic in the State of Origin series.
Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler break down the Jayden Campbell-AJ Brimson situation
“I’m thinking Brimson as maybe a centre,” Fittler told Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and The Eighth.
“He’s lightning quick. You can maybe play him a bit where you bring your fullback in and do a bit of dummy-half running and support through the middle.
“That’s where you see him doe all of his damage.
“I’d hate to think you would put him in the centres and he never gets the ball.
“I don’t think Jayden Campbell can play anywhere else other than fullback.
“There are a lot of little blokes there. They are a big team, but there’s also a lot of targets in defence. I hope someone’s got a plan there.”
But while Lockyer and Fittler believe Brimson could shift positions, rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns doesn’t see it that way.
Johns said Brimson, who has three Queensland caps to his name already, should be the Titans’ first-choice fullback for years to come.
“Brimson for me is the out and out fullback,” Johns said.
“That’s his spot until probably later in his career. I think he and Jayden Campbell can fight it out for that No.1 position.
“I think for the next four of five years, Brimson is an out and out fullback.”
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