Forget Kane Elgey – Justin Hodges reckons Gold Coast NRL coach Garth Brennan should be looking at 20-year-old Alex Brimson as his Titans five-eighth.
Brennan is under pressure to find a halves partner for classy No.7 Ash Taylor after Penrith recruit Bryce Cartwright had misfired on debut at pivot in last round’s 10-9 NRL loss to Cronulla.
Brennan has stuck with Cartwright for Saturday’s clash in Canberra but has been monitoring Elgey since banishing him to Queensland Cup side Tweed Heads Seagulls two weeks ago to regain form.
Hodges agreed Brennan should be looking at the Seagulls for his next five-eighth – but not Elgey.
The Queensland great believed Tweed Heads fullback Brimson had shown enough to indicate he could step up for the Titans in the No.6 jersey.
“Ash Taylor’s the No.7, there’s no doubt about that, but there’s a young kid called AJ Brimson,” Hodges told Fox Sports’ Queenslanders Only.
“I had a bit to do with him in the Queensland 20s (as coach). He was our five-eighth.
“He’s a wonderful player. He’s big; got so much energy; he’s a left foot kicker as well … and whenever you give him a game plan, he’ll execute it to the tee.
“He’s just one of those young kids who’s got the world at his feet and I think, given the opportunity to play outside Ash Taylor, I think he could blossom into a wonderful player.”
Brimson starred for the Queensland under 20s last year and was named Gold Coast’s 2018 NYC player of the year.
He faces a bright future – unlike Elgey.
The 24-year-old playmaker is off contract and seemingly on the outer at the Titans.
Hodges said Elgey had been given his chance and Brennan should blood Brimson.
“He had the start of the season to impress the coach,” Hodges said of Elgey.
“I think, at the moment, he’s lacking a bit of form and that’s hard because, when you lack form and confidence, you can’t steer your side around.
“I think the coach has done a wonderful thing putting him back to Queensland Cup to find form and confidence but I would like to see AJ – I think he’s a wonderful player.”
