Gold Coast halfback Jamal Fogarty is being backed by teammate AJ Brimson to face Newcastle in Saturday’s NRL clash at CBUS Super Stadium.
Fogarty suffered a corked thigh in last Saturday’s 20-4 loss to Canberra, leaving the Titans with a 2-2 record after four matches.
With fellow starting half Ash Taylor only an outside chance of returning from the fractured hand which has kept him sidelined in recent weeks, Fogarty’s fitness is a big matter for the Titans.
Youngster Tanah Boyd was forced to lead the team in the 27-year-old’s absence for large parts of the match against the Raiders.
Fullback Brimson is however confident the Titans’ co-captain will be good to go against the Knights.
“I think it’s healed pretty well. I’m not an expert on corks but he’s walking around fine and he’s in the pool doing all the recovery he can,” Brimson said.
“We’re all expecting him to play this week and he’s a professional so he’ll do whatever he can to get his body right.”
The Titans, who returned from Sydney on Sunday after a hurried exit from Queensland last week due to Brisbane’s three-day COVID lockdown, enjoyed a statement when these two teams last met.
Brimson was dynamic in a 36-6 win last September, scoring two tries as he outpointed then-incumbent Queensland No.1 Kalyn Ponga before going on to replace the Newcastle custodian in the Maroons line-up in State of Origin when Ponga was ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Saturday’s game will be Ponga’s return for the Knights but Brimson believes the return of centre Brian Kelly will be just as important for the home team.
“He won our player of the year last year. It’s a big confidence boost him coming back into the side,” Brimson said.
“I also love playing with Brian because he always offloads and puts me away. Hopefully he can give me a couple of those this weekend.”
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