- NRL star AJ Brimson posted a betting slip on social media
- Post appeared to show betting odds on rugby league matches
Gold Coast has referred star AJ Brimson to the NRL Integrity Unit for a social media post on Melbourne Cup day, but his manager says there is a simple explanation for the controversy that has erupted.
The 26-year-old posted a screenshot of a $10,000 win over Melbourne Cup outsider Knight’s Choice. Below that was a blurry image of previous bets, at least one of which was on rugby league.
NRL players are banned from betting on games as outlined in their code of conduct, but Brimson’s manager Jim Banaghan said his client had nothing to worry about.
“It will all die a very simple death because the story is his mother’s and the reason she supported it is because her last name is now Knight,” Banaghan said.
“She put a $100 fan bet on it and that’s the only bet she’s made in the last seven months. The previous one (bet) was that her son would score a try. It’s all her bill.
“I kept the messages flowing from her to him, the whole lot, and it’s on her.”
AJ Brimson (pictured)_ deleted a photo of a digital betting slip from his Instagram story on Melbourne Cup day
Brimson (pictured with partner Brooklen Young) has claimed the gambling account belongs to his mother
Banaghan said Brimson had lost on his own bet, but received a text from his mother saying she had won, and that the screenshot he posted was from her account.
The veteran player manager said Brimson had launched the ‘victory’ shot hastily and was unaware of the underlying bet.
“They’re just young men with social media,” Banaghan said.
The club has released a statement about this.
“The Gold Coast Titans have referred a social media post from AJ Brimson to the NRL Integrity Unit,” the club said.
“The club is unable to comment further on this matter at this time.”
In 2014, the NRL illustrated how seriously it takes gambling offenses by players, with former chief operating officer Jim Doyle sending the stars a stern warning.
“We are saying that if you bet on rugby league you are at significant risk of losing your job or being significantly suspended,” he said.