Brimson 'ready' for Origin as Slater example fires Maroons dream

AJ Brimson insists he is ready to play for the Maroons and credits the advice and example of Billy Slater for making him a more complete fullback.

The Titans fullback scored two brilliant tries in the home 36-6 win over the Knights, one a 95 metre effort where he left Kalyn Ponga in his wake and another where he zig-zagged past five Newcastle defenders to score a cracker.

The 22-year-old scored seven tries and made 13 line breaks in the nine games he played this year on return from a back fracture.

The Maroons will pick Brimson in their extended squad and he is on track for a bench spot at least in the opening game of the series in Adelaide on November 4.

On Friday night Brimson was asked whether he was ready for the Origin cauldron.

"Yes. You have to think you are ready. I believe in myself and I believe I have been trying to put my hand up," he said.

"Then again there are a lot of talented Queensland players out there. If am there in the squad then I will be stoked with that."

Brimson turned it on at Cbus Super Stadium in front of Maroons coach Kevin Walters who on Fox Sports commentary said he was just as impressed with the Titans custodian's defence as his attack.

Brimson, who has played Queensland under-20s, has received tuition from Maroons legend Slater in emerging Origin camps and has studied his game closely, particularly his defensive nous.

"In my eyes he is the best fullback there has ever been and from the small times I have had with him I have tried to pick his brain," he said.

"The main thing is communication. You can hear him in the grandstand in row thirty screaming and getting his numbers sorted and he is very professional with his preparation.

"He knows what shapes are coming so he can set his numbers. Credit to [Titans assistant coach] Jimmy Dymock. Each week we do video. Obviously this week the main threat was [Kalyn] Ponga and we had to come up with a plan."

With Valentine Holmes suspended and Cowboys duo Michael Morgan and Kyle Feldt injured Maroons coach Kevin Walters is on the lookout for outside backs, and Brimson is ready for that challenge too

"I have never played wing in my life but I will play lock if he wants me to," Brimson grinned.

"I'm a proud Queenslander and if he wanted me to play bench, wing, second-row or wherever I'd put my hand up."

Brimson told NRL.com recently that team physio Paul Scurfield had been a great support in ensuring he returned from his back fracture in top form, with studies of sprint superstar Usain Bolt assisting him to run faster and with less stress on his back.

"There was a period during the COVID break where I was doing pilates, I wasn't running and my back wasn't getting better," he said.

"We had a big meeting with the club and [decided] if I didn't come back this year it is not the end of the world.

"Credit to Paul Scurfield, our physio, who worked me every day and I came back better than ever.

"The hairline fracture hasn't healed but that is not uncommon with those injuries. The main pain I was getting was due to swelling and bone bruising but that decreased massively.

"It is feeling good in games so that is behind me at the moment."

Titans coach Justin Holbrook was happy to admit Brimson was his "favourite" player after his stellar display against the Knights.

"AJ is just awesome," Holbrook said.

"There are plenty of other players that get a lot of hype around them and I think AJ has put himself into that category now.

"Whether you are a Titans fan or an opposition fan if we are playing somewhere you've got to get excited to see AJ play footy, because he is that good to watch."

Brimson said he thrived on the support of his coach.

"I am a confidence player. From day one of pre-season he said he wants me to be fullback for this club and that was massive," Brimson said.

"I had a bit of a hiccup with the back but he trusted me and I didn't come off the bench. He put me straight back in there. Each week he says 'back yourself' and it was good to get five [wins] in a row for him because he has brought a lot to this club."

As for burning Ponga, Brimson refused to gloat.

"I got one on him tonight but I look at his games and think 'what a freak'. I got lucky but I am not getting ahead of myself," he said.