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Titans to wait on Brimson's knee

Scott BaileyAAP
AJ Brimson remains in doubt for Gold Coast's NRL clash with Manly due to a left knee injury.
Camera IconAJ Brimson remains in doubt for Gold Coast's NRL clash with Manly due to a left knee injury. Credit: AAP

Gold Coast will give AJ Brimson every chance to face Manly with the Queensland State of Origin utility fighting a knee injury to play on Sunday.

Brimson was retained on the Titans' extended bench on Saturday, but with Jayden Campbell still named at fullback to face the Sea Eagles.

It's believed the Titans will give it until Sunday before making a call on their star fullback, who has been battling bone bruising for the past three weeks.

Whether Brimson plays shapes as crucial for the Maroons'' squad for their must-win State of Origin clash at Suncorp Stadium next Sunday.

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Kalyn Ponga has already been ruled out with a groin injury, leaving Valentine Holmes as the most likely man to fill the No.1 jersey again.

Brimson played 16 minutes off the bench in Game I, and would be favoured to do so again if fit.

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However if he is out young gun Reece Walsh could become a serious option for the Maroons, despite having played just seven games for the Warriors.

Ben Hunt would be the other option.

Brimson's short and long-term fitness is also crucial for the Titans, who desperately need to turn their season around.

They have lost seven of their past nine, letting in 30 points or more in six of those defeats.

And while they have only been beaten at the death in their last two clashes against Melbourne and the Sydney Roosters, they now sit 13th on the ladder.

All that after entering the season as one of the most hyped teams of the summer.

"We've been getting better," coach Justin Holbrook said.

"We have come close the last couple of weeks and we've just got to keep working that little bit harder to turn those narrow losses into a win.

"We're pretty desperate to get a win tomorrow. We have to keep working that little bit harder and turn those narrow losses into a win."

Meanwhile Manly will be without Jake Trbojevic after he was also ruled out of Origin II with a hip injury.

Kurt De Luis will start at lock in his place just a week after making his NRL debut, with the Sea Eagles facing a significant back-row shortage.

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