Carty: Preston for Origin
Coach demands Origin call for Preston Campbell
Matt Marshall | April 13, 2009 12:00am
GOLD Coast Titans coach John Cartwright has implored NSW selectors to look beyond size and stop shunning Preston Campbell for State of Origin. Cartwright, a former Blues hard man, has advised Craig Bellamy's selection panel to take a leaf out of Queensland's book and pick players "tailor-made for Origin" in 2009, such as the Gold Coast's pint-sized custodian.
Campbell has proved the most potent attacking weapon in the opening five rounds of the NRL, including a game-turning try assist for Nathan Friend in the Titans' gritty 14-10 derby win over North Queensland on Saturday night.< br />
"Origin is a different type of game, Queensland have never worried about picking size, they go for a type of player," Cartwright said.
"Guys like Preston, and (Raiders skipper) Alan Tongue, they're made for State of Origin. NSW still haven't got that point as far as selection goes.
"There's nothing in the game Preston can't do. Without knowing his childhood I can just tell he's had a football in his hand since he was two or three years old. Things on the football field just come naturally to him.
He takes the right option almost every time.
"As a bench option he can play fullback, half, five-eighth, hooker - I'd play him in the front row if I had to - he's a rare, rare player."
While Campbell's attacking prowess is well known it was his one-on-one defence in Townsville, including a goal-line try-saver on NSW back row candidate Luke O'Donnell, that highlighted the 31-year-old's Origin claims.
The recurring "too small" argument has proven the most misguided line of reasoning in Origin history.
Several Maroons legends have endured public question marks over their stature before etching their names in Origin folklore - including 34-game No.7 Allan Langer, 1995 series-winning captain Trevor Gillmeister and 2005 Origin I hero Matt Bowen.
"If I listened to that stuff I would never have played footy, even my old man thought I was too small to play," Campbell said.
"Unless they throw you in, they're not going to know.
"I've been lucky to play at clubs that did have faith in me. All you ask for is your team and coach to show faith in you. You want to repay them."
Last year Campbell declared himself ineligible for NSW honours after being stung by his omission from NSW Country. But yesterday he revealed he is still available and would view a belated Blues call-up as "one of the proudest moments of my career".
Blues coach Craig Bellamy knows what Campbell can offer, having coached him during his three Country appearances in 2005-07.
"I probably could offer something there but they generally go for youth," Campbell said.
"I'm not holding out any hope but you never know, players like Alfie Langer came out of retirement and really killed it. I obviously get disappointed. I want to play rep footy."
The argument Campbell is too small for Origin football is easily quashed.
The Titans fullback is regarded by his peers as among the toughest players, pound-for-pound, in the NRL.
It was a pedigree publicly illuminated last August when he played over an hour of a best-on-ground performance against the Broncos with a broken jaw.
"He gets the guys up, on the back of what he does, his heroics are just fantastic," Friend said.
"It inspires guys."
The Courier Mail
