This season was one of responsibility and change for AJ Brimson, but it can be said the Titans playmaker took the challenge like a duck to water.
Not only playing a new role in the halves - a position he grew up finessing - but the South East Queensland born and bred star was also entrusted with the vice captaincy, which in-turn gave him the opportunity to take the reins temporarily for two games while Tino Fa'asuamaleaui was unavailable.
Whilst the year didn't quite go as planned, the 24-year-old feels this season was a huge learning curve for not only himself individually, but also for the entire playing group.
"Obviously this year is not what we wanted or had planned and I do feel for the fans, but I learned a lot about our team and individually for next year," Brimson admitted.
"Moving from one to six was a bit of a challenge at the start and something I had to get used to, especially with that pass-first option, but I think I finished the year just running the footy and the pass came second. That became my mindset and that's why I finished the year off strongly.
"I just had to learn those little things, especially as a ballplayer and have an edge to look after as well, but as the year went on, I felt more comfortable there."
The proof of his progression was in his top 10 finish for try assists in the NRL across the regular season, thanks to his magical combination with his Titans left hand edge forward.
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"It definitely helps playing with big Beauy Fermor outside me and I think he was our leading try scorer, so I think he owes me a beer for that," Brimson joked.
"He makes my job easier. I just run to the line and either grab it or tip it to him and he usually finishes it off.
"I think running first and then passing second usually opens it up."
Another element for Brimson to develop this season was his leadership, joining the club's leadership group as vice captain under Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, and with his skipper unavailable twice during the season, it didn't take long for the one-club man to have the 'c' next to his name - albeit on a temporary basis.
"It was exciting for me and I kind of liked that role the more it went on in the year and just being in the leadership group," Brimson said.
"Early on, I didn't really want to say too much, but I think by the end of the year, I felt more comfortable speaking up and and really owning that leadership role.
"Then to actually captain the team twice, that was really exciting."
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Whilst everything might currently be up in the air as to what position the 85-gamer will play next season with the impending arrival of Kieran Foran, the biggest thing Brimson is excited about is having the experienced half join the ranks and being able to learn from the premiership-winner.
"I'm really excited for him to come because he's someone that I've watched as a player for a long time," he said.
"He's obviously a really good player and just meeting him recently, he's a good fella and he's really excited to come.
"I've never probably had an older, experienced half whilst coming through my time here at the Titans and I think just the professionalism of him. I mean, I didn't even really know him, but I just know what he's going to be like from what others have said.
"He's won comps and he's played for his country, so I'm just looking forward to learning off him and just watch him raise the standards even more and see how those other players train."
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