In-form Jayden Campbell is set for an extended run as Gold Coast fullback whether regular No.1 AJ Brimson is available to play next week or not.
Brimson withdrew injured in the warm-up before the 28-18 loss to New Zealand Warriors on Friday night.
Titans coach Jim Lenihan said Brimson would have played centre and Campbell at fullback even if he had made it on the field.
Lenihan said Brimson had an oblique muscle tear and pain in the rib area. The Titans have not revealed the extent of the injury.
It was in the win over the Cowboys, where Campbell came off the bench to shine at fullback and Brimson had a stint in the centres when he returned to the field from injury, that provides a template for the short-term future of both players.
Where both get to start in regular positions next year will be decided by incoming 2024 coach Des Hasler.
Campbell was brilliant against the Warriors where he ran for 258 metres, set up a try with a silky grubber kick and scored a 90-metre intercept try himself to keep the Titans in the match.
Lenihan, whose Titans are away to Cronulla in their next match, said super sub Campbell was “certainly” set for more games at No.1.
“There is no doubt that JC would be more than likely playing there at fullback anyway just because of how AJ is,” Lenihan said.
“We have got to have him out there. We have got to try and have AJ out there as well. It is something we will look at and Des will look at in the pre-season and into next year.
“At the moment, AJ may not play again (this season) depending how bad that injury is.
“I think it is an oblique tear. I don’t think it is really bad but it is one of those awkward things that is very painful where it is on the body.”
Lenihan said Queensland representative fullback Brimson still had ” a lot of fluid on his hip”
“I don’t think the needles work because there is that much fluid in his body at the moment,” he said,
“He tried his best for us but just couldn’t get on the field. In the warm-up it was still grabbing him.
“I’m not sure whether enough swelling will come out of it this week or whether it is another week off for him.”
The Titans were brave with 12 men against the third-placed Warriors after prop Moeaki Fotuaika was sent off in the 17th minute for a shoulder to the head of Warriors fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
“We have got a lot to work on, and defence is one of them, but our ability to have grit and determination in our defence and work hard for each other was on display again tonight,” Lenihan said.
“For the last six games we’ve had one bad half and other times where we were working hard and evolving. We don’t want to be bullied anymore.”
