"Hopefully with the pre-season to come I just get fitter, bigger, faster and stronger and become a better footy player next year."
With that comment, Titans fullback Jayden Campbell signals his intentions for 2023.
About to enter just his second pre-season as a full-time NRL squad member, Campbell has balanced relaxation with hard work over his off-season break.
"Last off-season (break) I maybe took it a little bit easy and did nothing ... but this off-season I did some training so hopefully I'll have my body the best it can be for the season to come," he said.
"Last off-season I relaxed around home ... but this off-season I've been training in the gym, running and playing a bit of touch.
"I know what I want to get out of myself this year so I can be the best I can be for the team."
As one of the younger squad members, Campbell is among the first group of returning players.
He says the first few weeks are a good chance to get a head-start on what is expected to be an intense pre-season to ensure the squad is ready for round one.
"Coming in as either a train and trial or for your first pre-season, it's something that I wish I was told (to impress from the first session)," he said.
'I've missed coming to training': Campbell
After claiming Titans Rookie of the Year honours in his debut season in 2021, Campbell managed 14 games at fullback in an injury interrupted second season of NRL football.
Apart from continuing to grow his game, Campbell says his goal is to ensure he uses the pre-season to ensure his body is ready to stand up to a full season of competition.
"I obviously wanted to have a good full year of footy (in 2022) but I had two injuries that kept me out for 11 weeks in total.
"I want to get through a full season that's my personal goal, a good pre-season, get my body right and do the best I can.
"For myself personally, I just want to play the best I can and help my team-mates out and hopefully there is a few more wins and we play finals this year.
"It makes me excited knowing what I have to do and I'm a lot more excited knowing what the experience is."
Campbell made two appearances off the interchange bench in 2022, with the remainder of his appearances coming in the number #1 jersey.
He says while fullback remains his preferred position, he's excited by the fact that there are other squad members keen to grab that spot.
"I can look at it as someone is here to take my spot or you can look as it as healthy competition and you help each other out to be the best you can," he said.
"It's not playing too much on my mind, the only thing I'm thinking is it is going to be healthy competition.
"Fullback is where I feel most comfortable, I played other positions growing up, but I'll play wherever the team needs me."
