AJ Brimson has revealed he will dedicate his 2023 season and the rest of NRL career to fallen mate Liam Hampson, who tragically died while on holiday with the Titans star.
Brimson told reporters he has plans to get a tattoo to pay tribute to his long-time friend, who will be on his mind each time he runs onto the field for the Titans in 2023.
“I was already thinking about this and I don’t want to be corny and make like a statement, but I want to dedicate my season and career to Liam,” Brimson said when asked if he had plans to pay tribute to Hampson.
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“I need to get some sort of a tattoo that cannot be under my jersey or shorts, so I can point to it if I score a try or something. I’ll definitely be playing for Liam.”
Brimson had nothing but kind words to say about Hampson at Titans training when asked about his memories of his good mate.
“He was stingy as and never showered,” Brimson joked.
“No, he was a good bloke. We lived together for four years and went to school together from year 9 to year 12.
“A legend bloke. A good footy player. I think he was on the verge of cracking NRL pre-season up there at Redcliffe.
“He was actually unlucky not to get a crack here after his pre-season at Tweed in 2021.
“But just happy as and lived life to the fullest. Never stressing about anything.
“We had a great time overseas together, which was pretty lucky.”
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Brimson revealed Hampson was the star player at school and destined to join the NRL ranks had his life not been cut tragically short.
“He was always the best player at school,” Brimson said.
“He was like the golden child at Keebra Park.
“He hadn’t kicked on yet, but I was pretty confident he was going to get into an NRL system and start playing.
“I always enjoyed playing with him, but unfortunately I was at the Titans and he was at Tweed.”
With another tough pre-season underway at the Titans, Brimson said Hampson would give him motivation through the hard times on the training paddock.
“It actually does (give me motivation),” Brimson said.
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“You think of things when you are out there and it is hot. There are people doing worse off and you think of someone like Liam, who would obviously be stoked to be out there training in the heat like that. Just little things like that will help.”
Brimson also paid tribute to the rugby league community for coming together through Hampson’s tragic passing and commended the focus on mental health and player welfare in the modern game.
“It is important and I think the team has been really good and the whole footy community in general,” Brimson said.
“The night we flew back was when they did the minute silence and the arm bands for the Australia vs Scotland game.
“We went straight to Liam’s family’s house and they all watched it.
“They were super stoked as footy fans to see the Australian World Cup team dedicate the game to Liam.
“I have had players that I don’t even speak to, big names in the game message me and say they are thinking of us and the family.
“It is a good community the footy community and it is good to see players admit that stuff goes wrong and things aren’t going so well.
“I was actually really happy and impressed with the amount of players I have never even spoken to, who reached out just to let us know they are thinking of the family and all that. I passed that onto the family which meant a lot.”
After a tough period following Hampson’s death, Brimson was happy to be back in a routine at training with his Titans teammates.
“It has been good, obviously a bit of a tragedy there, but the club has been really good,” Brimson said.
“It has been good getting back into a routine and not just sitting at home all day and hanging out with mates.
“It has been a bit of a good distraction, so I’m glad to be back.
“To be honest I have been pretty good.
“The club has been really good. All us boys that were travelling around with him have been catching up.
“We have been hanging out with Liam’s family a lot and obviously they are struggling a bit, but they are getting better.
“But me personally I am pretty good thanks for asking.”
