When it comes to his new role with Gold Coast, AJ Brimson can't quite understand what all the fuss is about.
The Queensland State of Origin representative will begin life as the NRL club's full-time five-eighth in Saturday's clash with the Warriors at CBUS Super Stadium after recovering from the abdominal strain that ruled him out of round one.
The 23-year-old's return means the Titans will field the youthful combination of Brimson, halfback Toby Sexton and fullback Jayden Campbell that was the big focus heading into the 2022 season for the first time this year after Will Smith donned the No.6 jersey for last weekend's opening round loss in Parramatta.
Having made his name as a jet-heeled fullback, many view Brimson's positional switch as somewhat of a gamble by Titans' head coach Justin Holbrook but the player himself has more than adjusted to his new role.
"I'm excited. It actually doesn't really cross my mind to be honest, I'm pretty comfortable as a five-eighth now and it's not really something I've even thought about," he said.
"I guess it is new for everyone else who hasn't seen me training for the last five months that I am in the halves now but, for me, I've been in the halves all pre-season.
"That's my focus. I'm a half now."
Saturday's game is also a banner day for former Gold Coast halfback Ash Taylor.
The 27-year-old will be making his debut for the Warriors against his former team on his old stomping ground after being named as the replacement for the injured Shaun Johnson (pectoral).
Brimson said he was thrilled for his ex-teammate to be getting a fresh start in his NRL career.
"I'm actually really happy for Ash, he's a good mate of mine and I'm happy to see him back out there playing," he said.
"I hope he plays well individually but not as a team.
"We have to be on our game because we know how dangerous he can be.
"I think the change is probably good for him with the Warriors ... it's probably less pressure on him at the Warriors so I think we can see his best footy but hopefully he leaves it until next week."
