Preston returns to Titans

Preston returns to Titans as Holbrook weighs up trial conundrum
https://www.nrl.com/

Former Dally M medallist Preston Campbell has returned to the Titans in a specialist role just weeks after his son, Jayden, signed a development deal with the club.

Campbell was the Titans' inaugural signing in 2007 and will work with the club in "a number of areas", according to coach Justin Holbrook on Monday.

The 43-year-old Indigenous icon retired in 2011 after 267 first-grade games, which included 103 for the Titans, and has been vocal around the side's performances in recent years.

Campbell told NRL.com in 2019 he was desperate to see the club return to their winning ways while building a stronger connection with the community.

"He's rejoining the club, it's still being worked through but it's great to have him out there on the field," Holbrook said.

"I'm not sure around all the details with little Presto but it's great to have the first player signed for the Titans around the boys.

"He'll be working with the club in a number of areas."

Holbrook said he was "really happy" with how the new-look squad and coaching staff had come together after significant player turnover last year.

The Titans coach will spend the next month working on a plan for the club's only trial against the Warriors in Lismore on February 27.

Mindful of the fact the two sides will meet again in round one, Holbrook will be wary of playing his squad at full strength.

"It is a bit awkward playing the same side twice but with trials you lock it in a year in advance so you're not to know who you'll play in round one," Holbrook said.

"It's not ideal when you're only playing the one trial but it's too late to change that.

"We'll have a look at that but the main thing is you want a good, hard hit-out. A lot of our forwards will play for match fitness but a lot of our main guys won't play.

"It will be a good test because it is our only trial. There are spots up for grabs, it's not like you can play half-hearted.

So good to have him back at the club. Huge presto fan.

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Originally Posted by Dooldog76

So good to have him back at the club. Huge presto fan.

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Yes, having Presto around the club is good mana. He must be my favourite player of all time.

Anyone know the reason why he has had no input with the club in the past?

Hey Presto! Campbell back with Titans for 2021
https://www.titans.com.au/news/2021/...tans-for-2021/

Video interview on link above

Preston Campbell, in Titans colours, with boots laced up.

The 43-year-old isn't making a remarkable comeback, but he will have an important role to play for the Gold Coast side in 2021.

The inaugural player signed at the Titans will return as a player mentor and Club ambassador this season.

He says he's been given a very simple job description.

"All they (the Titans) want me to do is come and be Preston," he said.

"Anything outside of that, I'm happy to do whatever it is.

"I'll run the boys water, I'll tie their laces if I need to but it's basically just hanging around the Club and showing my face.

"It's pretty flexible, I'll do some on-field stuff, do some stuff within the team and I'll do some stuff within the Club, obviously they do a lot in community so I'll have a presence there.

Campbell, who played 267 NRL games, started (Gold Coast Chargers) and finished (Gold Coast Titans) his career on the Coast.

He says he's excited about being back around the playing group and believes he can help the younger players by sharing the experience he gained across an incredible 14-year career.

"To be able to spend more time on the Gold Coast and to be able to do something I love doing, it has come at a really good time," Campbell said.

"I decided (to take up the role) at the end of last year, and given the year we had last year, it put a lot of things into perspective.

"I know I've played here and I've played a bit of rugby league but sometimes it does feel a little bit un-nerving coming in to a rugby league club and it's something very different to what I've been doing over the last ten years.

"It did feel a bit strange putting the shirt back on but it didn't take me long to get back into things.

"To be back in it, to be honest I was a little bit anxious, but the boys have made it really comfortable for me.

Campbell's role will see him provide player mentor support, assist coaching staff where required, work on payer leadership development and work with the coaching staff to support cultural development.

Next thing Now is to find Nathan Friend and Mat Rogers roles to play....

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Originally Posted by Mr Bods

Next thing Now is to find Nathan Friend and Mat Rogers roles to play....

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Rogers is no chance now that he’s started his Player Agency.

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Originally Posted by Hail Sezer

Rogers is no chance now that he’s started his Player Agency.

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Dam. I keep forgetting that he’s done that.

PAST AND THE FUTURE UNITE ON THE COAST
http://www.gcbulletin.com.au

http://www.diehardtitan.com/wp-conte...021/02/3.1.jpg

Young fullback Jayden Campbell with his dad, Titans legend Preston. Picture: Gold Coast Titans

LONG after most Gold Coast Titans had left training on Monday morning, a handful of players remained to smash out their extra work.

Development contract fullback Jayden Campbell was among them and so was his dad, Preston.

The pair practised their running lines, cut-out passes and kicks to each other after training drew to a close.

They’re the scenes that have filled the Campbells’ backyard forever and nothing has changed now they are both contracted to the Titans.

Preston has rejoined the club in a mentoring capacity, providing a score of talented young Titans with a veteran voice to teach them right from wrong – including his own boy.

“It’s good to be back,” the 43-year-old club hero said.

“It did feel a bit strange putting this shirt back on but it didn’t take me long to get back into things.”

His role is broad, from jumping into training drills, ferrying water and tying player’s shoelaces, to teaching players the lore of Gold Coast rugby league.

“It’s always good to have old players come back (to the club),” he said.

“A lot of us know what to do and what not to do as footballers, and with up-andcoming players what comes with that is a lot of stupid.

“What (some young players) don’t have is that mindset that everything is about footwork, teamwork and culture.

“Hopefully that’s what myself and others can bring to get those boys on the straight and narrow.

“People like Justin Holbrook have done an amazing job. He’s got the right people around because the feeling here now is one of respect. The energy is amazing.”

The chance to play an active role in Jayden’s journey is an added bonus.

“I’m happy he’s at the club and as a parent anybody would want their child to do something they love, and Jayden loves rugby league,” he said.

“Rugby league for me was a way to support my family. I saw it as a job from early on, but he genuinely loves the game and loves what it brings.

“He’s more of a footballer than I was and one thing he does bring, like AJ Brimson, is instinct.

“When it comes to talent and skills Jayden has got it.

“He’s excited to get the opportunity to forge a career for himself.“

AH ha, a proud father and rightly so ... he's talked more about Jayden in a few months than he has about himself in a lifetime ... great role model for all and sundry.

Apart from the Bull Preston is probably my favorite Titan. A legend and so glad to see him back involved with he team/club.

Gold Coast Titans great Preston Campbell says he’s happy to help out RLGC club in 2021
https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/

The Gold Coast Titans great says he wants to help, develop and be part of the Helensvale Hornets in 2021.

WHEN his mates ask for help, Preston Campbell has a hard time saying no.

So when Clinton Toopi, the new Helensvale Hornets A-Grade coach, asked his former teammate and Gold Coast Titans legend Campbell to join the club at training his answer was, “I’ll definitely be there to help them out”.

Toopi told the Gold Coast Bulletin earlier this month his pursuit of Campbell was “no secret” but, with a smile, Campbell said his answer “got lost in communication”.

“I said, ‘I’ll come up and do some work with the boys, do some specialty stuff if you want, do some kicking with them and be part of drills’,” Campbell recalled.

“I think to Clinton and some people at the club, that was me saying I would come and play football.”

As Helensvale prepares for a long-awaited foray into the Rugby League Gold Coast A-Grade competition, Toopi said having someone of Campbell’s calibre would do wonders for the players, both young and old, on the Hornets’ list.

Campbell said he would be happy to help out, just not on the field.

“Rugby league is a young man’s game. If I’m there playing football at 43 years old, I’m taking an opportunity from a young person,” he said.

“If I can help and develop and be part of that club, I’d like to be there, but there has to be a time when you pull up (from playing).”

As for the man leading the way for Helensvale, Campbell gave his former teammate his full support.

“Toops has aspirations of being a coach and he is a coach. What he brings to any footy club is he works with passion,” Campbell said.

“If you go to training you’ll notice Clinton is always talking, always yelling, because he wants the club to be successful.

“The thing with Toops is … it’s not just about the football. He really cares about people. He encourages and instils confidence.

“Being Helensvale’s first year in A-Grade I’m quite confident they’ll do all right – and they’ll do well this year having Toops at the helm.”

GOLD Coast Titans legend Preston Campbell set a cat among the pigeons this week when a throwaway line referencing a potential rugby league return caught curious ears.

His quip was that good friend and former Titans teammate Clinton Toopi had sounded him out for a Gold Coast Rugby League reprisal with incoming A-Grade outfit Helensvale Hornets, headed by Toopi and ready to make waves.

Trotting out a 43-year-old Campbell in a Hornets jersey would likely do exactly that – and Toopi was unabashed in his desire to bring the 2001 Dally M Player of the Year winner to the club.

“There’s no secret in that; no hiding or denying it,” Toopi said.

“If he’s feeling up to it as a 43-year-old playing in the local comp, a lot of players would just love that opportunity to not only learn from him but run out alongside him.”

Now a decade removed from his final season in the NRL, Campbell remains arguably the Titans’ most loved player past or present and would serve as a great mentor for Toopi’s young Helensvale outfit.

Campbell played a handful of games for Helensvale in Reserve Grade in 2018, when the club began its initial push to return to A-Grade.

“His son Jayden, who is currently at the Titans, was a Hornets junior, so it’s only fitting that we get somebody of that calibre to help with our outside backs,” Toopi said.

“For us it’s also about getting him involved and helping nurture some of these young guys.

“He was a Dally M Player of the Year, he’s won a grand final; he’s a superhero in our community not just on the field but off it as well.

“I see him as my mentor as well – he’s been my mentor since I finished footy. I’d love the opportunity to have him at the Hornets.”

The Hornets are midway through their second six-week pre-season training block and Toopi is still holding out hope that Campbell will make his way to Robert Dalley Park for a run in coming weeks.

“I said to him, ‘hey bro, we have training Tuesday and Thursday, it would be good for you to come down’. He says, ‘OK yep, I’ll come down – I have a bit to work on’,” Toopi recounted.

“So I said, ‘oh, so you’re going to play?’ He says, ‘I’ll come down for a run’.

“How I interpret that is, there’s hope.”

As much as I wish the Hornets every success, I'm pleased that Campbell isn't running out. He offers a lot more as a role model and member of the community than as a player. Let Toopi coach, let Campbell contribute when he can and let the next generation benefit from them both.