Preston Campbell comes out of retirement to play in Gold Coast’s A-Grade competition

HIS hair is longer and the body older, but for Preston Campbell, the love remains after he accepted $100 to come out of rugby league retirement.

Preston Campbell in action making his comeback to rugby league at runaway bay today for the Runaway Bay A-Grade side. Pics Adam Head

HEY Presto. Look who’s back.

His hair is longer and the body older, but for Preston Campbell, the love and magic remains after he accepted $100 to come out of rugby league retirement.

Seventeen years ago, the 167cm dynamo hit the Gold Coast scene like a pint-sized footballing tsunami, making his top-grade debut for the now-defunct Chargers.

On Sunday, he dusted off the dancing shoes four years after retiring from the NRL, leading Runaway Bay to a 36-6 drubbing of Currumbin in the Gold Coast A-Grade competition.

Preston Campbell making his comeback to rugby league for the Runaway Bay A-Grade side. Pics Adam Head

A month shy of his 38th birthday, Campbell, playing five-eighth, looked like he’d never left, setting up a try in his Seagulls debut at Bycroft Oval.

The NRL lost one of its great cult figures in 2011 when Campbell quit the Titans after a stellar 268-game career that included a premiership win and the Dally M Medal in 2001.

Long before Johnathan Thurston, the little wizard with the giant heart made wearing headgear cool. On Sunday, he couldn’t put one on.

“My hair is too long,” Campbell said with a laugh.

“I used to wear a small size headgear, but not even an extra-large will fit me now.

“It feels good to be back. I was surprised by how I went. I’m a bit tired but I had fun out there — it will take a month to get some decent match fitness.

“I had to ask the missus for permission to play again. In retirement, I’ve had the weekends free, but she gave me the OK.”

Besides, Campbell realised he needed to get fit again.

While working as an indigenous ambassador, Campbell’s frame swelled as much as his flowing locks.

In his prime, he was fighting fit at 71kg. But after putting on 16kg, he began training with Clinton Toopi, the former Kiwi Test centre now playing for Runaway Bay.

Toopi had asked Campbell to have a run at the Seagulls. Then his mum had a heart scare, an episode that forced Campbell to assess his own health.

“To be honest, I was over the bug. I wasn’t missing footy,” he said.

“I was happy watching the kids play, but my family has a high-risk of diabetes and my mum had a slight heart attack, so I knew I had to lose some weight.

“Toops has become a really good mate of mine and when he asked me to play, I thought it’s a good way to stay active.”

Runaway Bay coach Shane Boyd was impressed with Campbell’s hit-out and says his presence alone is valuable.

Preston Campbell in action making his comeback to rugby league for the Runaway Bay A-Grade side. Pics Adam Head

“He has lifted the place instantly,” he said. Presto is so humble and typically he didn’t want to take a young bloke’s spot, but we needed some experience and already at training he has helped the boys out.”

“He played well ... he has fitted in straight away.”