Campbell will enter his second season as the Gold Coast’s first-choice halfback, having come through the ranks as a fullback, much like his father.
He admits he is not a “natural” No.7, but under coach Josh Hannay believes he is ready to steer the Titans’ ship alongside five-eighth AJ Brimson – showing promise with a try assist and linebreak assist in the side’s 42-12 trial win against Melbourne, before being subbed off at half-time.
Campbell laughs when he’s reminded that his father’s switch from fullback to halfback during his days at Cronulla led to a Dally M Medal, and says that while he seeks out the 2003 premiership winner when he feels the need, he largely avoids asking him for advice.
“He’s my dad first, he doesn’t like stepping on toes too much, or anything like that,” Campbell said.
“If I ask him for advice, he’ll give it, but he’s my father first, before football, so he tries to stay out of it as much as he can.”
Questions regarding Campbell’s capacity to be the Titans’ long-term halfback have been raised since he took the mantle last year – his instinctive running game lauded, but uncertainty lingering about his ability to overturn momentum swings and build pressure through his kicking game.
Jayden Campbell believes he can emulate Jahrome Hughes’ transition from a ball-running threat to a genuine halfback.
But after watching Melbourne Storm superstar Jahrome Hughes undergo the same transformation he is attempting, he has seen the blueprint for how to succeed.
Like Campbell, Hughes was originally a fullback before shifting to the scrum base. Despite being tasked with guiding his team around the park, he has been able to do so without giving up the elusive ball running that makes him one of the NRL’s most lethal attacking players.
“A hundred per cent,” Campbell said when asked if Hughes was the model on which he would build his game.
“It just gives me confidence I can do it myself. I’ve got a great coaching staff around me, great teammates, so that’s going to help me along the way as well.”
After four consecutive seasons wallowing in the NRL’s bottom four, Campbell senses change is afoot, based on the early days of Hannay’s tenure at Parkwood.
Campbell has noted an air of enjoyment at Titans HQ since the days of Des Hasler, with Hannay’s cultural rebuild leading to the contract extensions of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Cooper Bai, despite extensive interest from rival clubs.
“We enjoy coming to training now, and we enjoy doing the hard work. It’s not that we didn’t want to do it – I don’t know how to put it into words, to be honest, without sounding wrong – but it’s a good feeling coming into training,” Campbell said.
“I’m not sure about the other boys, but for me, I play football because I love it, not because of what it brings and the other stuff that comes with it. In the past, it felt like a job a little bit – I know it is our job, but when you turn something you love into a job, you just lose enjoyment a little bit.
“That’s what I’m loving about Josh being here – he’s calm, he’s easy to get along with, he’s funny, but he’s just made the environment so much more enjoyable. He’s someone you want to play for.”
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