The Canterbury Bulldogs are monitoring AJ Brimson’s contract situation at the Gold Coast Titans, with the possibility of bringing the 27-year-old to Sydney to play fullback now on the table.
James Hooper said on the Rugby League Insider podcast on Wednesday that Canterbury are keeping an eye on Brimson, who is contracted to the Titans until the end of 2030 on a deal believed to be worth $850,000 a season. Hooper said the Bulldogs see him as a fullback option and that Brimson, who has played four State of Origin games for Queensland at No.1, may prefer to wear the jersey at club level as well.
That interest would fit a pattern at Belmore. Canterbury recently re-signed Connor Tracey for two more years, but Bailey Hayward is being questioned as the club’s No.9 option and the Bulldogs have already shown they are still searching for the right pieces in key spots. Hooper also said things had gone cold on the Sam Verrills front and that Verrills will not be signing with Canterbury.
Brimson has been playing at centre for the Titans because Keano Kini is occupying fullback, and that is where the tension around any future move begins. He has not settled into one permanent role, and Hooper said that is part of the reason the Bulldogs are interested, noting that Brimson “hasn’t really found his best position.”
The bigger hurdle is simple and it sits with the Titans. Gold Coast would need to grant Brimson a release from his current deal and give him permission to negotiate with rival clubs before anything could happen. Without that, there is no path to Sydney, no matter how strong the Bulldogs’ interest becomes.
There is also reason to think Canterbury would not be alone if Brimson became available. Hooper said the Bulldogs were very keen on Jahream Bula before he extended with the Wests Tigers, and he suggested any opening on Brimson could trigger a wider chase. That matters because Canterbury have been linked with reshaping their spine, and a proven fullback with Origin experience would instantly change the conversation.
For now, the story is not about a deal close to being done. It is about whether the Titans are prepared to let one of their best-paid players test the market, and whether the Bulldogs are ready to push harder after missing on other targets. If Gold Coast blink, Brimson would become one of the most sought-after names in the game.
