LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON FOR TITANS DYNAMO
GOLD Coast Titans sensation Jayden Campbell will draw inspiration from his Dally M legend father Preston going into a finals duel with Roosters fullback star James Tedesco.
Campbell and Tedesco will go toe-to-toe in Townsville on Saturday night in the ultimate master versus apprentice showdown.
In the Roosters’ corner is Tedesco, a 178-game Test and Origin star who was crowned the NRL’S best player in 2019 and is one of the league’s top fullbacks.
On the Titans’ side is Campbell Jr, a 77kg pocket rocket playing just his seventh NRL game after replacing injured No.1 AJ Brimson.
While the odds are stacked against the Gold Coast in their first finals appearance since 2016, Campbell has an ace up his sleeve after turning to his Dally M Medal-winning (2001) father and Titans great Preston for advice.
Preston played in the Titans’ biggest ever game, the 2010 preliminary final loss to the Roosters, and has told his son to prepare for another level of intensity.
“I was telling mum and dad it’s crazy how things can take off. I’ve only played six games and I’m already in my first finals series,” Jayden said.
“Dad has spoken to me a little bit. He doesn’t say much but he’s told me e finals are a different game. ame. It’s a lot more ore physical and fastter. He’s also told d me to enjoy it.
“Each week I play I’m feeling a lot better. The he boys keep telling ng me they want me to touch the ball a lot more, back myself elf and to build my confidence. ence
“In my first few games I was nervous about mucking up and letting the team down. I’m a lot better when I back my ability so that’s what I want to do.
“I love Teddy (Tedesco), he plays the same position and is one of the best in the competition. I have always watched him to see what he does and bring things to my game. I’m really excited to play against him.”
While Preston is immensely proud of Jayden’s rise to the NRL, he is also wary about overloading him with information.
“He understands how big the occasion is,” Preston said.
“I try to leave it up to him. It’s really difficult as a young fella to have a father that’s played the game. He has really handled it well. He is looking forward to the occasion.
“I think he and the team will do well. They’ve been putting in some really good performances.”
The Titans had an up-anddown end to the regular season, losing three straight games before qualifying for the finals with a club record 44-0 thrashing of the Warriors last Sunday.
It will take a monumental effort from the Gold Coast to knock the Roosters out of the finals race but the Titans are confident of competing well at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Campbell has become a genuine threat at fullback with his instinctive play helping him score five tries while the club’s top tryscorer David Fifita (17) will be looking to make an impact on the big stage.
Tedesco said the Roosters had to be on high alert for Campbell and the Titans’ attacking specialists.
“I’ve watched wa him a bit throughout throug the year and he’s definitely a you young talent,” Tedesco d said.
“He’s very quick q and
moves m really well. w
“He’s definitely nit a threat if we have a staggered line or someone out o of position and he canmake can make them the most of it.
“I loved Preston. I loved watching the Titans when they first came in when I was a kid.
“Preston was a guy who played above his weight every week and was one of the best players around. There’s some good genes there.”