Campagnolo confident Seagulls will fly high in curtain raiser
THE Intrust Super Cup’s freshly crowned five-eighth of the year Jack Campagnolo is confident he can lead his Wynnum-Manly Seagulls into the October 10 grand final in his first senior game at Suncorp Stadium.
The Seagulls face Tweed Seagulls in the first preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium this Sunday, the first curtain raiser to the historic NRL grand final in Brisbane.
And at the centre of WynnumManly’s push to a shot at the premiership is a boy from Tully who left the Northern Pride at the start of the year for an opportunity in the state capital, was named the best pivot in the competition and could end it with an NRL club after reportedly signing a trainand-trial deal with the Rabbitohs.
“It was a bit unexpected,” Campagnolo said of his ISC award.
“I didn’t think I was consistent enough. I didn’t watch many other games, but I thought one of the boys from Norths might’ve got it.”
Campagnolo missed the Seagulls’ 22-14 win against Burleigh in the semi-final two weeks ago, the Tully product forced into quarantine.
“I had to stay at home; my housemate went to the same pub as someone who got Covid,” he said. “We got some gym equipment brought home, did some beep tests in the front yard – anything to keep us fit.”
Released from quarantine last week, Campagnolo’s focus has shifted to extending one of “the most enjoyable seasons” of his career to include his first Intrust Super Cup decider.
“We get a few handy players back from the Broncos, which will help,” he said. “Being around those players, it takes a lot of the load off.
“I owe a lot to (Wynnum halfback and captain) Sam Scarlett, he’s been amazing for me. They attract some of the attention and that allows me to focus on my game.”