He’s the son of a gun that will one day fire his own shots in the NRL according to his current club coach.
Jayden Campbell, son of Titans great Preston Campbell, will line up at fullback for Burleigh when the Bears play in this weekend’s Rugby League Gold Coast Grand Final against Runaway Bay at Cbus Super Stadium.
Burleigh Coach Matthew Foster says Campbell has the x-factor that can break open a game.
“What he has nobody can give you, his footwork and speed that he generates and the space he creates – you can’t coach that,” Foster says.
While it’s his freakish ability with ball in hand that often attracts attention, Foster says Campbell is developing into the ultimate professional who is constantly working on his game.
“Everyone sees the footwork and the tricks that he can pull on the field.
“What people don’t see is the work ethic that he has off the field.
“He’s the first to training, he gets on the field and practices kicking, practices two-on-ones and all the little things in the game that he has to be good at.
“What he does on the field, yes there is a lot of off the cuff stuff that he can do, but a lot of that isn’t by accident either as he works super hard on what he needs to do.”
The 20-year old’s famous father played 267 NRL games, winning a Dally M medal and was the inaugural signing for the Gold Coast Titans.
Foster says it is only a matter of time until the junior Campbell makes his mark in the NRL.
“I’m sure he is going to go all the way,” Foster said.
The battle of the fullbacks will be a highlight of the Rugby League Gold Coast A-Grade grand final, with Runaway Bay’s John Mackin who has been among the best players in the competition this season.
Event Schedule:
11:30am Gates Open
12:00pm Under 18’s (Currumbin v Burleigh)
1:30pm Under 20’s (Helensvale v Currumbin)
3:30pm Reserve Grade (Currumbin v Tugun)
5:30pm A Grade (Runaway Bay v Burleigh)
