Marquee Wallabies convert Carter Gordon’s quest for an NRL berth has endured a major setback, with the Gold Coast Titans recruit suffering a back injury to delay his ascent.
Gordon was vying for a place in the centres or halves under coach Des Hasler, having impressed in both roles upon his rugby league debut playing for Tweed in the Queensland Cup.
But a wait will now ensue to see the Rugby World Cup five-eighth in action, with Titans chief executive Steve Mitchell confirming the 24-year-old was likely to miss the early rounds of the 2025 season.
Carter Gordon has made an immediate impression since shifting from rugby union to rugby league.Credit: Getty
“He’ll miss the trials unfortunately, and he might miss a couple of early rounds of the year, but he’ll be back – we just need to keep an eye on him,” Mitchell said, speaking upon the unveiling of EMF Australia as the club’s newest partner.
“It’s hard to know [when he’ll be back], backs are funny things, so we’ll just keep identifying it. I don’t think we’re going to rush him.”
As Gordon recovers, Mitchell’s confirmation AJ Brimson is poised to reclaim the five-eighth jumper is set to trigger veteran Kieran Foran’s move to the bench.
The incumbent halfback, who has played hooker for New Zealand, is now battling Jayden Campbell for the No.7 jersey, despite the son of Titans, Panthers and Sharks great Preston Campbell showcasing his greatest strengths came running the football and attacking on instincts.
But Mitchell was adamant a Campbell-Brimson union could secure a first finals appearance since 2021.
“I think he’s physically probably in the best condition he’s ever been in from what I’m seeing and hearing. That in turn is leading into his confidence, he’s playing a role around the leadership of the playing group,” Mitchell said of Campbell.
“I think he’s starting to really find his strides as a senior player. His instinctive nature with the way he plays the game is something to watch, and I think he can take that game and manage it.”
Jayden Campbell is heavily favoured to become the Titans’ new halfback, with AJ Brimson expected to shift to five-eighth alongside him.Credit: Getty
The Gold Coast have struggled to lock down a game-managing halfback since Scott Prince guided the Glitter Strip to consecutive preliminary finals appearances in 2009 and 2010, with Jamal Fogarty briefly finding success before his move to the Canberra Raiders.
But Titans forward Beau Fermor believed Campbell and Brimson’s style could still reap rewards as a pairing.
The club has invested heavily in their pack, with Fermor joined by State of Origin stars Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, David Fifita and Moeaki Fotuaika.
And the Dalby product pointed to one of the NRL’s juggernauts to suggest the duo could thrive if the engine room clicked into gear.
“Melbourne have got two ball-running halves, and they seem to go all right, so there’s no reason why it can’t work for us if that’s the way Des wants to go,” Fermor said, ahead of the side’s first preseason trial against the Broncos on Sunday.
“I know JC’s been working really hard on his kicking, and he’s been really vocal among the team this preseason. I have no doubt he’ll be able to step up and, if he’s given that role, be able to fill those shoes.
“It’s no secret if your forward pack is going forward, and you’re getting quick play the balls it makes it a lot easier on your halves. If you look at the best teams in the comp, their forward pack really dominates, so that’s something we have to take ownership of.”
