The Gold Coast Titans’ heavy 50-12 defeat to the Brisbane Broncos in their first trial match has raised significant concerns within the club, particularly regarding AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell. Despite a lineup featuring many key players, the Titans struggled defensively, missing 42 tackles and facing a team that fielded few regular first graders, indicative of a worrying start to the upcoming season.
Former Bronco Corey Parker expressed doubts about how the Titans could recover after such a substantial loss, especially given that they fielded a strong squad with only four top players absent. Criticism also came from Greg Alexander, who noted that the team’s failure to maintain a strong performance despite having ten first graders is troubling.
With ongoing speculation surrounding the composition of the Titans’ spine, Kieran Foran may miss a starting role, while Brimson is expected to play alongside Campbell in the halves for the start of the season. However, doubts linger regarding Campbell’s suitability for the No. 7 position, as his instinctive playstyle may be hindered by the responsibilities of the role.
The Titans hope to regroup in their next pre-season match, but questions remain about the best positions for both Brimson and Campbell moving forward.