AJ Brimson plans to get a tattoo that he will point to whenever he scores a try, as the Gold Coast flyer dedicates this NRL season to mate Liam Hampson.
The Titans talent was holidaying in Europe with his former schoolmate when Hampson fell and died in a tragic accident during a night out in Barcelona.
Grateful to be back into a routine at the Titans' Parkwood base, Brimson has been impressed by the support of the rugby league community since he returned home.
"I've had players I don't even speak to, big names in the game, saying they're thinking of us and the family," he said.
"All of us boys that were travelling around with him have been catching up, hanging around Liam's family a lot.
"I don't want to be corny and make some sort of a statement, but I'll dedicate my season and career to Liam.
"I'll get some sort of tattoo that isn't under my jersey or shorts that I can point to if I score a try. I'll definitely be playing for Liam."
In what position that is remains to be seen, with Kieran Foran's arrival to play under Justin Holbrook adding another layer to an already clouded spine.
Toby Sexton, Jayden Campbell, Tanah Boyd and Brimson were all rotated through the key positions in a miserable 6-18 season, with the 24-year-old acknowledging the positional debate had become an annual tradition.
"I've had that question for like four years now," Brimson said when asked if he'll play fullback or five-eighth.
"I don't know; leave it up to Justin, I just want to win games. If that's me at fullback or six I'm happy either way."
Brimson drove former Manly star Foran home from training recently and said the pair had already struck up a bond.
"We've been chatting footy; he seems like a good fella," he said.
"We had a 45-minute car ride where we could just chat about where we've gone wrong the last couple of seasons and what we're going to change.
"I grew up watching Foz so I'm super stoked to play with him and keen to learn off him."
A persistent groin issue continues to bother Brimson but he said he had a plan to manage it and was confident it will not inhibit him this season.
