CAMPBELL BIG PART OF OUR FUTURE: HOLBROOK
THE Titans will not entertain releasing Jayden Campbell after coach Justin Holbrook declared the livewire fullback and AJ Brimson had longterm futures on the Gold Coast.
Campbell will wear the No. 1 jersey in Sunday’s trial against the Broncos at Sunshine Coast Stadium as Holbrook rests Brimson for the Titans’ first pre-season hitout.
But it will likely be a short-lived stint at fullback, with Brimson to start the 2023 NRL premiership in his favoured position at the back.
That will shift Campbell into a bench utility role, raising speculation he could attract poaching raids from clubs looking for a starting fullback.
Campbell, 23, is contracted to the Titans until the end of 2024, making him a free agent for 2025 and beyond from November this year.
But he will not be going anywhere in the interim after Holbrook insisted the son of Dally M legend Preston Campbell was in the Coast’s future.
“I love ‘Jaydo’ and we definitely want his future to be at our club,” Holbrook said.
“He’s such an exciting young player and we all know that. Last year he played a few games and then picked up an injury. We got him back for a few then he picked up another injury. He’s still got a lot to learn so we’ve got to use him a bit smarter this year.
“Last year we relied heavily on him and if he wasn’t there we really came unstuck. We didn’t want to be in that position again this year. His best position is definitely fullback but he’s got the ability to play elsewhere and be a real livewire anywhere in the backline. I need the trials before I decide who plays where. If he doesn’t end up fullback he’ll be somewhere because he’s too important for our team.
“He’s got that real x-factor about him and we love that. He is definitely happy here at the club and is a big part of our future, I just don’t know exactly where at the moment.”
Brimson, 24, is contracted until 2026 and will return to his most lethal position at fullback following last year’s five-eighth experiment.
He carried a chronic abdominal injury throughout last season and while it is not 100 per cent, the former Queensland Origin fullback is in much better shape.
Holbrook said there was space for Brimson and Campbell in his team long-term. “Definitely, ‘JC’ has versatility to play other positions and so does AJ,” he said.
Holbrook will field a solid team in the Titans’ first trial, with his round 1 three-quarter line of Alofiana KhanPereira, Phil Sami, Jojo Fifita and Aaron Schoupp to start.
Halfback Tanah Boyd will captain after pipping Toby Sexton for the No. 7 jersey while David Fifita will make his first appearance of the year.
Holbrook has rested key players Kieran Foran, Sam Verrills, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Beau Fermor and Brimson ahead of Sunday week’s final trial against the Dolphins at Redcliffe.