Jayden Campbell says constant communication with his celebrated father, Preston, has been the catalyst for his triumphant shift to halfback at the Gold Coast.
While determined to forge his own Titans’ legacy, the 25-year-old’s career is following a similar path to the club’s inaugural captain – who began as a fullback before becoming a Dally M Medal-winning No.7.
The move has proven a surprise success for the younger Campbell; scoring in wins against Newcastle and Sydney while averaging 111 running metres a game.
Campbell has also taken on kicking duties – averaging 493 kick metres a game – and revealed he had been working with AFL great Nick Malceski to take that area of his game to new heights.
But he admitted his frontline defence remained a work in progress – leading the competition for ineffective tackles (12).
Campbell’s instinctive nature has contributed to the Titans’ strong start in 2025 and showcased he was his dad’s son – his second intercept of the year securing the side’s first win against the Roosters for nine years.
“He’s my father first more than anything, that’s our relationship. At certain times I’ll ask him certain things … but this year it’s been a lot better asking him more questions.
“He’s been really good, he’s helped me out a lot. I’m still not happy with where I’m at, but happy with where I’ve come from. There are still some kick finishes I could get better at towards the end of sets, also just what options to take and being a little smarter around that.”
Questions were raised when the Campbell-AJ Brimson halves combination was confirmed that the Titans would lack the game management to reach the finals for just the third time since 2010.
But Campbell, who sits equal sixth on the Dally M leaderboard, has thrived behind the forward pack, with skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s comeback from a ruptured ACL igniting their premiership cause.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui scores for the Gold Coast Titans against the Sydney Roosters.Credit: NRL Photos
Scoring twice while registering 142 metres and 32 tackles an outing, the Queensland Maroons enforcer has had a resurgence after working with conditioning expert Bill Knowles in the US.
However, the Titans have been dealt a blow, with livewire fullback Keano Kini not expected to return until after the State of Origin period, as he undergoes surgery on a herniated disc near his spinal cord.
Jaylan De Groot has taken the No.1 jumper, who in scoring his maiden NRL try last year was recorded as the NRL’s fastest player of 2024 (37.2km/h).
“It’s not an easy thing going through injuries, especially a big one like that,” Campbell said of Kini.
“I just thought I’d let it soak for a bit first, but when surgery comes up I’ll give him a message and go see him.
“I’m really proud of [De Groot], he works really hard, and I was just really happy for him to get another game for us and play the way he did.
“I’ll help him out as much as I can, but he’s a great player on his own. He’s really smart, he’s fast, and he just wants to get better every week.”
