Preston Campbell set to give Titans edge off bench against Dragons
AN EXCITED Preston Campbell looms as the Gold Coast's X-factor in tonight's NRL premiership opener against St George Illawarra at Skilled Park.
Campbell, who considered retirement last year, has been reborn and rejuvenated as an impact bench player this season.
The livewire's spark is sure to ignite the Titans in a match otherwise shaping as an old-fashioned forwards dogfight.
Both teams boast formidable packs, but in the back end of each half is where super-sub Campbell could come in to his own.
"I don't know about being called a super sub, but I will be trying to get out there and give the guys a bit of a buzz," he said.
"They have a lot of big forwards and a lot of their boys are going to be getting a bit tired towards the end of the halves.
"Hopefully that's where I can make a difference."
Campbell, who impressed from the bench in pre-season trials, can comfortably cover most spots in the backline and is no stranger to the dummy half role.
He has filled that role for NSW Country and at times for Cronulla during his time at the Sharks.
Coach John Cartwright said he was excited about the possibilities of injecting Campbell into the fray mid-match.
"I am excited about what he can offer us but, more importantly, Presto is excited himself," he said.
"He's got a real extra spring in his step. He's been buzzing at training and that gets everyone else excited."
Cartwright also said he was not buying into any talk of the Dragons being ripe for the picking after the world club champions' flight back from Europe last week and the off-season loss of enforcers Jeremy Smith and Neville Costigan.
"They've still got their core group together," Cartwright said.
"And it doesn't seem to matter who is in and who is out, they always turn up."
Mark Minichiello was named on a five-man bench for the Titans but will not play tonight after a fitness test yesterday on his troublesome groin.
He underwent surgery in the off season but will be an almost certain starter next week.
A crowd of more than 25,000 is expected for tonight's match between two of the competition favourites.
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