Jayden Campbell’s Journey to Becoming an Elite NRL Halfback
Gold Coast coach Josh Hannay has made it clear that Jayden Campbell is on the right path to becoming an elite halfback in the National Rugby League (NRL). He emphasized the importance of re-signing Campbell, highlighting the player’s potential and character as key factors in the decision.
Campbell will be playing at half, facing off against Brisbane’s Adam Reynolds in the upcoming derby at Robina on Saturday night. Both players have expressed admiration for each other’s abilities during the week. Reynolds, in his autobiography, mentioned that the Titans had no interest in signing him at the end of 2021, with the Broncos ultimately securing his services. This move proved beneficial for Reynolds, as he achieved premiership glory in 2025.
In a similar vein, Campbell has managed to solidify his position within the team, extending his contract until 2031. His goal is to follow in the footsteps of his father, Preston Campbell, who is a legend of the club. “It (the Reynolds situation) was obviously well before my time but when I took this job on, securing JC long-term as this club’s halfback was a priority,” Hannay told AAP.
Hannay praised Campbell not only for his skills as a player but also for his character. “I feel blessed that we have kept JC and not just for his ability as a player. He is a terrific young man, humble and hard-working. Everyone knows the history with his dad, a legend of the club. I’ve just been struck by the character of the young man and I’m certainly very happy with where we are at with our halfback.”
The 26-year-old is currently on “baby watch” as his partner Teagan is set to give birth to their first child. While the intention is for Campbell to play in the derby, the Titans will allow him to make the final decision based on the circumstances.
Campbell has shown consistent performance this season, with two try assists last week and two tries in the previous match. His instincts and brilliance on the field have been evident. A significant development in his game has been his kicking ability, which is comparable to Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses.
“It is one of the underrated parts of his game. Some guys kick a footy and it sounds different and goes further … and Jayden is one of them,” Hannay said. “He has got this timing with his kick that is very natural and fluid. He is very accurate and has that Moses ball flight when he kicks the ball.”
Hannay has never doubted Campbell’s ability to perform at a high level. “What you see at the moment is just a glimpse of what JC is ultimately going to be, with his best still in front of him,” he added.
The derby promises to be an exciting match with several classic matchups. One of the most compelling ones is the clash between Brisbane prop Payne Haas and his brother Klese, who plays for the Titans. Payne has been cleared to play after recovering from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the previous match.
“I’m sure everyone is looking forward to seeing the two brothers come at each other,” Broncos coach Michael Maguire said.
