HEY PRESTO HE’S BACK
TITAN’S STILL GOT IT
EVEN into his 40s, there is no stopping Preston Campbell.
The Gold Coast Titans legend, who turns 41 next month, is helping Rugby League Gold Coast A-grade aspirants Helensvale in their mission to be promoted in 2019.
Campbell played his first game for the Hornets on May 19 and made an immediate impact, starring alongside son Jayden to help the club to their maiden win of the Doug Lipp Cup reserve grade season.
The Hornets put behind them a string of narrow losses – they fell by four points or less on three occasions prior to Round 5 – to brush aside Southport in a dominant 48-18 display at Robert Dalley Park.
Helensvale captain-coach Matt Steley said the lure of lining up next to his son had convinced selfless Campbell to pull the boots back on.
“He said from the start he’d love to play but he didn’t want a young up-and-coming player to miss out,” Steley said.
“Once I threw the idea of playing with his son, he was in.”
Jayden, primarily a fullback, is back playing in the greenand-gold after representing Burleigh in the under-18 Mal Meninga Cup.
Campbell Sr said it was a special moment to step foot on the field with his son.
“He has been into me for years, ‘Dad when I’m old enough can you play with me please?’,” Preston said. “It was a pretty cool feeling.”
He is set to make more appearances for the club this year between work commitments – an exciting prospect for Hornets FORMER Titans and Broncos players will square off in a touch football spectacle as part of the NRL Round 17 showdown between the derby rivals.
Players including Preston Campbell, Scott Prince, Steve Renouf, Chris Walker, Ben Hannant, Terry Matterson, Kevin Campion, Matt Petersen and Adrian Vowles will pull on the boots at Cbus Super Stadium.
The July 8 game is part of the 30-year anniversary celebrations of the city’s first clash – between the Broncos and Giants at Seagulls Stadium – and in support of Deadly Choices.
Campbell is a Deadly Choices ambassador and said it was crucial to promote a healthy lifestyle.
“It doesn’t matter how old you are … you still need to look after yourself,” he said, adding the ex-players would show that they are only able to still run around on field because of their lifestyle choices.
teammates and staff.
“He’d still cut it in any Agrade competition,” Steley said. “At training he lets me do my job but chips in here and there and helps the younger guys with little things.
“His skill at training brings everyone else’s skill levels up. Game-wise, he was just like another guy on the field but you could tell he’s just that much better than us.”
Prior to becoming the Titans’ first NRL signing, the 2001 Dally M Player of the Year had stints at the Gold Coast Chargers, Cronulla and Penrith, where he won a premiership in 2003.
The Hornets are striving to make it two wins on the trot this weekend against Ormeau.