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'I used to love the Sharkies': Campbell excited for old team showdown

He's a proud Gold Coast Titan now, but once upon a time, Jayden Campbell used to chant 'Up! Up! Cronulla'.

Born in the Shire - the live-wire fullback was a Sharks fanatic until about the age of five when one of his favourite players in Rhys Wesser joined South Sydney... that's when he became a mad Bunnies fan.

"I was born in Cronulla and my first club that I supported was Cronulla, but then when I was about four or five, I ended up changing to the Rabbitohs, but I used to love the Sharkies," Campbell admitted.

"Dad was always a quiet Rabbitohs supporter, my pop was and when Dad was at Penrith, he played with Rhys Wesser and he went across to Rabbitohs.

"He was one of my favourite players, so that's another reason why I started going for them."

But two seasons in as a second-generation Titan and a proud junior pathways product, the son of a gun's allegiance can't be questioned now, boldly declaring he wants to remain on the Gold Coast for his entire NRL career.

"Growing up, I was always a one club person (at Helensvale), so I'd like to continue that into my NRL career," Campbell said.

"I love it up here. The Gold Coast has been good to me and my family so I hopefully will be able to give back to them."

'I love it up here' - Campbell

Starring in a resurgent return to first grade after a rib cartilage injury - his performance easily won him the man of the match with 266 run metres, 13 tackle busts and a try assist in the Titans' thrilling win over the Dragons. 

His message from coach Justin Holbrook for his first game was pretty simple... just play footy.

"During the week, I was talking to Justin and he wanted me to just simplify my game. I put a lot of pressure on myself, but he just said go out there play footy... do what you normally do and what you love," Campbell said.

"I think that helped me a lot to come out and play the way I did and I think I've just got to keep doing that the next few weeks."

There was also plenty of motivation from not necessarily the string of losses the side had without the first-choice fullback, but rather the helplessness of sitting on the sidelines in the weeks he was injured, not being able to help his teammates out.

Jayden Campbell a welcome addition

"It's not so much the frustration of the losses but it was sitting on the sidelines and watching the boys go through those games and how upset they got at the end of the games and  how frustrated they were," Campbell said.

"They just made me want to go out there, put my best foot forward and try to do the best I can to help the boys win.

"I also missed playing footy and missed playing in first grade. I love playing football and when I was on the sidelines watching the boys struggle, it really, really affected me because I don't like to see my mates upset and struggling.

"I wanted to play well every week, but that's why this week, I just said to myself that I'm going to play as best as I can."

Set to return to Cbus this weekend, Campbell is preparing for another big performance, this time up against his once favourite team.

Super Hero Sunday is taking over Cbus Super Stadium this weekend!

On the field, the Titans will battle the villainous Cronulla Sharks in a must-win clash. Off the field, meet some of the DC Super Heroes from Warner Bros. Movie World; including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and more.

Secure your seat now!

Acknowledgement of Country

Gold Coast Titans proudly acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout South East Queensland.