AJ Brimson has found his freedom, switched to his favourite position of fullback for the Gold Coast Titans after a month-long experiment at centre fell flat.
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The Queensland representative was at his brilliant best in scoring two tries and running for 186 metres in the Titans' 27-24 win at the Warriors on Anzac Day, their first victory of the season.
Gold Coast host second-placed Melbourne on Saturday night and Brimson, who had four underwhelming games at centre to start the year, is relishing playing in the position where he represented the Maroons in game three of last year's State of Origin series.
The 25-year-old has been far more dangerous at fullback for the past fortnight, and at No.6 the week before that.
"It's more freedom back there and I'm definitely enjoying it more," Brimson said.
"I'm just happy to be back around the footy.
"I always thought I belonged in the spine, or was at least good enough to be there.
"When I got my chance I was so eager to do stuff. Taking that mindset and confidence in has helped me."
The original plan this year was for Brimson to play centre and Jayden Campbell to be fullback.
Campbell missed the opening three rounds with a patella injury, and when he damaged his knee again in round six Brimson slotted back to No.1.
The Brisbane-born back said he never considered spitting the dummy and looking to move elsewhere.
"I don't think centre was going to be a five-year plan for me," he said.
"I want to stay at Gold Coast so it was more about me being optimistic.
"If I was centre and we were 7-0 I'd be stoked. It was about seeing how the season panned out, and it's panned out this way.
"We'll see what happens in the future, but I wasn't looking to leave."
After narrow losses to Canberra and Manly in games they could easily have won, the Titans' defence in the last 20 minutes against the Warriors was first class.
They will need to replicate that against the high-flying Storm.
"We've had the confidence for a month, where we've been thereabouts," Brimson said.
"It's important to start putting wins on the board.
"There's a bit of belief in the group and it was a good win to be part of (against the Warriors) with the occasion and the way it finished with our goal-line defence.
"Hopefully it's a sign of things to come."
Australian Associated Press
