No half measures for JC as inspiration strikes close to home

“(In the) coaching staff, a fair few of them have played in the halves (and) we get Nick Malceski from the Suns to come down and help us with a lot of kicking.

“(He helps with) technique really; with AFL, most of their game’s kicking, so to have someone like that come down and help us; I am really fortunate.”

It’s been well documented that the Titans have an abundance of talented fullbacks – including Campbell and his new five-eighth partner AJ Brimson – with some questioning how the duo will fare guiding the team, especially with Foran out of the side long term with a biceps injury.

“People are entitled to their opinions,” Campbell said. “I just know what type of player I am. I've done a lot of hard work over the pre-season and hopefully during the year, it'll pan out.”

He also doesn’t have to look too far for encouragement.

Father Preston, though remembered more widely for his feats at fullback or five-eighth, was playing halfback when he won the 2001 Dally M Medal.

Making history last month as the first father and son to represent the Indigenous All Stars in what he describes as “special week for him and his family”, Jayden - who was representing his Kamilaroi-Dunghutti mob - has worked hard to make his own name in the game while still drawing inspiration from his father’s achievements.

“I was a baby when he won the Dally M, but I still watch a lot his highlights from during that time,” Campbell said.

“Just to see someone like my dad who – we sort of play the same – do so well in that position, it gives me a lot of confidence.

“One hundred percent I do (have belief I can play in the halves); this is my first pre-season that I've got to train in either five-eighth or halfback and going into the year, I'm just feeling really good.

“I've done a lot of work on my defence and managing games, so hopefully, that shows on the field.”

Off the field, Campbell was one of the Titans players put to work to feature in the club’s recent promotional release to launch their season, starring in a music video for local music star and Commonwealth Games swimmer Cody Simpson.

“To see the finished product… it was a bit different, but it was inspiring as well, getting to see people on the Gold Coast," Campbell said.

"We live in a beautiful part of the world, beautiful part of Australia, so seeing a video like that and who we represent and who we're playing for, it was very inspiring and the song by Cody was really good.

“He's Gold Coast born and he's a global star, but he's been an athlete as well, so he knows what it takes to be in a field like this and for someone to write a song and for us to be able to use it, it's really special.”

Campbell's teammate Keano Kini, who has claimed the coveted fullback position, also took part in the All Stars match this year, making his debut for the Māori side.

Born in Auckland and representing his Ngati Porou iwi, Kini said he was inspired to see players like Preston in the past and Reece Walsh and Sua Fa'alogo currently light up the NRL ,despite their smaller stature.

“I think the new age of fullbacks are getting smaller and faster, you see Sua and Reece, I think the game is speeding up... I mean, I don't really feel small out there at all.

"(But) I'm not the biggest fella, so (my dad) taught me that speed is power, and the harder I run into tackles, the less likely to get you get hurt and the more likely you are to break tackles.

"So, I just back myself and try to be a bit fearless, hey."