The rise of Alexander Brimson is a well-timed one on the Gold Coast according to coach Garth Brennan, who conceded the pressure was beginning to tell on star halfback Ashley Taylor.
Taylor was again out of sorts in Sunday's 20-12 loss to Sydney Roosters, but halves partner Brimson stepped up his running game to further consolidate his place in Brennan's long-term plans.
The 20-year-old, who can also play fullback, has usurped off-contract No.6 Kane Elgey and out-of-favour utility Bryce Cartwright this season in one bright spot for a side now all but out of the NRL finals equation.
While posing an offensive threat he also stopped a rampaging Blake Ferguson in his tracks twice to underline his defensive capabilities.
"AJ was enormous," Brennan said.
"He took it upon himself to take a bit of the load off Ash, which is pleasing.
"We're starting to see AJ develop into the halfback to complement Ash we're looking for."
Halfback Taylor leads the NRL in try assists but has been more rocks than diamonds since being pipped by Daly Cherry-Evans for an Origin berth last Wednesday.
"He does try too hard at times," Brennan said of his No.7.
"He's very driven and sometimes he tries too hard; he needs to understand when things go against him he's got to brush it off."
Brennan was furious with the awarding of two questionable Roosters tries on Sunday but said his side needed to deal better with adversity.
"We're a young side ... we've got to handle some setbacks a bit better than what we do," he said.
"I've got a young side that's learning and is going to improve through these setbacks."
