Titans young gun Jayden Campbell has been identified as one of Parramatta’s potential targets amid revelations they are keen to bring in a ‘X’factor player’.
Reports the Eels are hitting the market to a new backline star — potentially a fullback — have caused a stir with skipper Clint Gutherson on Tuesday confirming he had been part of discussions with coach Brad Arthur about the move.
Campbell, 23, is contracted with the Titans until the end of next season but reportedly has a get-out clause in his contract. Sydney Morning Herald reporter Michael Chammas revealed on Nine’s 100% Footy the Eels were enquiring about signing Campbell.
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Campbell has been on the bench for the Titans so far this season and could be tempted by the move given the Titans have 24-year-old star AJ Brimson as their No.1 fullback.
Rugby league legend Paul Gallen was skeptical about the potential move when it was brought up on 100% Footy.
“Is he as good as Gutho?,” Gallen said, before expressing his surprise the Eels were considering anyone but Gutherson as a fullback.
“He (Gutherson) is 28 turning 29. He’s still got another two or three years at his peak.
“… let’s think about the top-notch fullbacks out there. We’re talking about Latrell Mitchell, Turbo (Tom Trbojevic), (James) Tedesco and maybe (Ryan) Papenhuyzen. They’re not leaving their clubs. Their clubs are not letting them go.”
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SEA EAGLES BEAST IN LINE FOR UPGRADE
NSW Blues contender Haumole Olakau’atu could be the big winner out of a potential swap deal between Manly and St George-Illawarra.
The clubs are in talks about a move that would send veteran Aaron Woods to the Sea Eagles and rising forwards Viliami Fifita and Alec Tuitavake the other way.
The Sydney Morning Herald’s Adam Pengilly reports that could free up some cash for Manly to upgrade Olakau’atu’s contract.
The 24-year-old is one of the most exciting backrowers in the game and expected to push for State of Origin selection this season. He is signed until the end of 2025 but News Corp reporter Brent Read revealed earlier this month the Sea Eagles are already paying Olakau’atu extra money this year in a bid to keep him happy.
TIGERS LINKED WITH UK STAR AS BIG BROOKS CALL LOOMS
The Wests Tigers are about to hit a crossroads with their halfback Luke Brooks having missed out in their pursuit of Mitchell Moses.
The Daily Telegraph reports the Tigers will make a call on the maligned halfback’s future within the next month. Brooks’ contract, worth more than $1m a season, expires at the end of the year.
The club must decide whether to keep faith in him long-term — most likely on a significantly reduced contract — or look elsewhere, with talk they could try and lure former Canberra halfback George Williams back from the Super League or target some of the big names coming off contract including Jack Wighton, Shaun Johnson or Kyle Flanagan.
Veteran Daily Telegraph reporter Phil Rothfield said on Monday a move could be the best result for Brooks, who hold a 37 per cent win record while playing with the Tigers.
“I think he needs to get out of the Wests Tigers, I’ve said that for a long period of time,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast.
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“I think he wanted to go at the end of last year, to Newcastle, but Tim Sheens saw something in him that a lot of us can’t and decided to keep him there.
“I think his performance against Melbourne showed that was probably a mistake
“… There are a couple of other struggling halves in recent years — Chad Townsend, Tom Dearden — they were given fresh opportunities, fresh starts at the Cowboys and it just did them the world of good. Luke Brooks is 28, he’s got another five years to go … just cut him loose.”
