Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook has vowed to remain faithful to the club's local talent after the Titans re-signed youngster AJ Brimson on a three-year NRL deal.
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Initially off-contract at the end of next year, Brimson had been linked with a move to the cashed-up Wests Tigers in recent months.
However, in a serious show of faith in their new coach in Holbrook, Brimson re-committed to the perennial strugglers until the end of the 2022 season.
"AJ is a perfect example of the Titans production line in action - a local junior who came through the club's development system to play NRL in his hometown," Holbrook said of the announcement on Monday.
"AJ's story is not unique to the club, because we are lucky to have a lot of local juniors here who have followed that path.
"But certainly AJ is another example of the template that we will use to take the Titans forward, on the back of the best talent produced in the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers region."
Prior to his axing in late July, then-Titans coach Garth Brennan had shuffled Brimson between the halves and his preferred fullback role for most of his second season.
But the retirement of veteran fullback of Michael Gordon has opened the door for the 21-year-old Brimson to secure his place in the No.1 jumper.
His development was rewarded last month with selection for Australia in the recent nines World Cup, as well as the Junior Kangaroos team.
"AJ is an exceptional young player as we all know, highlighted by the fact he is now on the radar of representative selectors," Holbrook said.
"But importantly he is also an impressive young man and a quality human being who has a passion for this club and his community."
Australian Associated Press
