Brimson best at No.14: Meninga

Mal Meninga believes he will be able to get the best out of AJ Brimson from the bench, but won't look to slow down what has been a breakout season for the Titans youngster.

Brimson will line up in the no.14 jersey for the junior Kangaroos when they play France on Friday night, after featuring in Australia's victorious World Cup 9's campaign last weekend for his senior rep debut.

The Gold Coast utility is the likely successor for Michael Gordon in 2020 as he enters the last year of his contract with his junior side.

Wests have kept interest in Brimson as a potential prospect beyond next season, with a swap for Ryan Matterson previously mentioned as a suitable move.

It is understood the Titans have held talks with Brimson's party regarding a two-year extension aiming to keep the 21-year-old on the Gold Coast, with a significant pay upgrade in play, according to NRL.com.

Brimson will be seen as a priority player for the Titans to retain, but will be able to exercise his options with rival clubs after the November 1st deadline.

A local junior and graduate from Keebra Park, Brimson joined the Titans at the age of 16 and has capped 36 games at NRL level.

Meanwhile, Meninga understands Brimson's value for the junior Kangaroos as a utility within his game plans, while he also looks to balance his coaching duties with his culture role with the Titans.

"I think his best position is 14," Meninga told NRL.com.

"There's this concept that players get in their minds and people get in their minds that you've got to start to contribute to your team.

"But it's a 17-man game now and your reserves are so important. If you're playing as a 14, as an example you can play [in the] halves or as a No.9, he can play fullback. He can play in the centres, he can play most positions in the side, in the backs especially.

"He can still play 60, 70 minutes of a game, you just don't know. It's just that starting stigma that can come with playing on the bench.

"I think his best position is 14 at the moment, and as he matures and gets more experience, finds his feet in a position then he might take on a 6 or a 1 role."

The Titans will be ready to welcome back Brimson as well as fellow Kangaroo Jai Arrow and halfback Ash Taylor for pre-season training on November 4th.

Captain Ryan James is also set to return to training having recovered from a ruptured ACL in April.

The club is hopeful Justin Holbrook will be able to have Taylor back to his best in preparation for the 2020 season, after being granted leave during the middle tier of the season.

Taylor holds regular visits with a psychologist to assist in the growth of his confidence and health after he fell to a drop in form during the 2019 season. The Titans considered releasing Taylor from the final two years of his contract if it was to suit his best interests.

Holbrook will be hoping to have a strong start to the preseason following a tumultuous 2019 campaign in charge of the Titans.

"Ash is going well. It's up to the coach and his coaching team about where they play," Meninga says.

"Is Ash Taylor going to be a starting 7 for us? It's going to depend on how well he gets through the off-season and how much he trains, how much he impresses the coaching staff.

"It's up to the individuals at the club to show the new coach that they actually want to be at the club first and foremost, they want to be part of that first grade team.

"Justin's had great success over at St Helens and he's coming back to us rejuvenated and really keen to get his teeth into it.

"He'll form views on all our players over the off-season. He'll have a really strong opinion when we go into Christmas and then he'll make his own judgements along with the coaching staff around where people play."