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Brimson and Sloan swap deal?
It started with James Graham on The Bye Round podcast and then my old mate Michael Carayannis gave it plenty of momentum on the Code Sports podcast this week as he beat the drum for a move he has championed for years now.
Along the journey, this columnist has become a believer as well.
St George Illawarra need to make a play for AJ Brimson by testing his desire to play fullback and the Gold Coast’s desire to keep him.
Brimson is on a big-money, long-term deal at the Titans, but he has been a gypsy when it comes to his position. Most people believe he is a fullback, but his path at the Titans is blocked by Keano Kini. Kini is going nowhere.
So Titans coach Josh Hannay, like so many before him, tried Brimson in the halves to start the season. It hasn’t worked. The Titans’ record – they are yet to win heading into Sunday night’s game against St George Illawarra – is testament to that.
We’re told Brimson trained at times this week in the centres – the eagle eyes of colleague Travis Meyn picked up on the scent as the Gold Coast went through their paces at their Parkwood headquarters during the week.
It’s not a foreign position to Brimson. He has been tried there before with mixed success.
In the end, what it has shown is that Brimson is a very good fullback and that’s where the Dragons come into play.
Their fullback Clint Gutherson is slowing down at a time when rugby league is picking up pace. Gutherson still tries his heart out. He never lets the Dragons down. He rarely plays a poor game. He is a leader in the dressing room and a warrior on the field.
His best days are, however, behind him.
Parramatta coach Jason Ryles saw the end coming, and let him leave.
He has been a handy signing for the Dragons, but his days of playing fullback are closing fast and the Dragons seemingly know it.
If you believe the rumour mill, the Dragons are hot and heavy for Wests Tigers No.1 Jahream Bula, whose future is at the mercy of the Tigers.
The Tigers have an option in his contract for next season that they need to take up by the middle of May. If they opt not to do that, Bula has an option his way as well.
However, he is expected to explore the open market if he gets the opportunity. And the Dragons will likely go big. That suggests Gutherson is on borrowed time as a fullback.
If not Bula, the alternative may be to ask the question of Brimson, who has a contract with the Titans until the end of 2030 on big money.
Salary cap won’t be an issue – the Dragons have enough room to fit him in.
They could happily accommodate Keaon Koloamatangi now if he wanted an early exit from South Sydney and the Rabbitohs were happy to oblige.
There has been no suggestion of that happening though. The Rabbitohs and coach Wayne Bennett want Koloamatangi to finish the year at the club and he wants to do likewise.
What it shows is that the Dragons have the money and are ready to make some moves. Instead of Koloamatangi, maybe they should ask the question of Brimson and the Titans right now. Get through the game on Sunday night and gauge whether there is any interest.
See if they can snap him up and add some x-factor to a backline that sadly lacks strike. Hand Brimson the No.1 jersey and move Gutherson to the centres or the halves.
He would handle it. Dragons fans need some hope because right now, there isn’t a whole lot. Coach Shane Flanagan came out before the season started and declared his side couldn’t win a premiership and after three rounds, we can see why.
They are off the pace and while Sunday night’s game is only the end of round four, it already shapes as a battle for the wooden spoon. The loser will be marooned in last spot with only Manly for company, although the Sea Eagles have the benefit of two points from the bye.
The Dragons need to shake things up. Whatever they are doing right now, it isn’t working. They need to add some electricity to a side that has sputtered through the opening three rounds.
Maybe Brimson is the answer. Getting him out of the Gold Coast won’t be easy.
He is a local boy who is much loved at the Titans. History though has shown that finding a place for him in the team anywhere other than fullback is largely a futile exercise.
The Titans have enough fullbacks in their ranks. They don’t need another one. The Dragons do. So why can’t the Prince of Palmie become the King of Kogarah?
