Presto Jr beefs up for shot at NRL
THE bulked-up son of Titans legend Preston Campbell will wear the No.1 Gold Coast jersey his father made famous for the first time tonight.
Jayden Campbell will start at fullback for the Titans in a pre-season trial match against Intrust Super Cup heavyweights Burleigh at Pizzey Park.
Campbell, 21, has added 10kg to his slight frame over the past year to emerge as a genuine NRL prospect for the future.
At 183cm, the fleet-footed Campbell towers over his pintsized dad (167cm) and has worked hard to tip the scales at 80kg this season.
Much like his father, Campbell moves across the ground with grace and isn’t afraid of heavy contact.
The COVID-interrupted 2020 season has put Campbell’s development back and he faces a battle to feature in the NRL this year, with the Titans boasting Origin star AJ Brimson and Corey Thompson as fullback options.
But Titans coach Justin Holbrook likes what he sees in Campbell and will be keeping a close eye on the son of a gun tonight.
“He is a natural footy player, he has put on some weight and he will have to put on some more,” he said.
“The way he plays he doesn’t rely on size and we know Presto wasn’t a big fella – it’s about how you play. Jayden is tough enough.
“He isn’t afraid of the tough stuff. It will be good to see him play.
“I wouldn’t want to commit to (him playing NRL this year). We’ve got AJ and Corey Thompson, a few ahead of him, but it’s a good opportunity for him to play after missing last year.
“He has got to push and make Queensland Cup because Burleigh has a good fullback in Kurtis Rowe. He has to play well.”
Holbrook will rest the bulk of his squad and run his eye over some of the Titans’ lesserexperienced players as he sizes up options for the 2021 season.
Young halves Toby Sexton and Tanah Boyd will start the game while fringe forwards Jai Whitbread, Darius Farmer, Beau Fermor and Sam Stone will get a chance to press their claims.
“I just want to see the young guys,” Holbrook said.
“A lot of them are 12 months on now. I’m looking forward to seeing how they go against an experienced Burleigh side.
“It’s good to reward the train-and-trialists that did some training with us before Christmas.
“Last year we saw Jaimin Jolliffe and Jamal Fogarty (get NRL contracts).
“Anything is possible. I want them all to know if they play well enough they will get an opportunity.”
IT MAY be seven Australian Open quad wheelchair singles titles and out for the incomparable Dylan Alcott.
Australia’s world No.1 left the door ajar for an assault on an eighth consecutive title, but hinted this year’s Tokyo Paralympic Games — assuming the event goes ahead — might be a fitting farewell to the sport.
Alcott won his Open championship in a cakewalk, dropping Wednesday night’s first game before rattling off the next 12 to defeat Dutchman Sam Schroder, 6-1, 6-0.
The 30-year-old now has 12 grand slam titles.
Alcott’s triumph follows him winning a fourth doubles championship in a row, partnering countryman Heath Davidson to a 6-2, 3-6 (10-7) victory over Brit Andy Lapthorne and American David Wagner.
That goes with his multiple Paralympic gold medals in tennis and basketball, a tally he hopes to add to in Japan this year.
“I was just saying, ‘Get yourself to the 2020 Paralympics,’ then that got postponed (last year),” Alcott said. “That’s why I struggled and played so poorly at the US Open, because that’s when the Paralympics should have been. I was like, this sucks, right? I just want to get to the Paralympic Games.
“I might hit that last ball at the Paralympic Games and be like, ‘I’m done’.
“It’s cliche, but you know when you know. I know I’m getting close.”