Intrust Super Cup 2021: Jayden Campbell allocated to Tweed Seagulls

He may be a Gold Coast blue blood, but Jayden Campbell is yet to play a minute in the Queensland Cup – he’s hoping a club change can rectify that.

New Titans signing Greg Leleisiuao. Picture: GOLD COAST TITANS

Gold Coast’s son of a gun Jayden Campbell is set to be unleashed in the Intrust Super Cup this year as he inches closer to making his NRL debut.

The 21-year-old son of Titans legend Preston Campbell has linked up with Tweed Seagulls for the 2021 Intrust Super Cup season, leaving behind his Burleigh club in a bid to gain more game time at fullback.

Incredibly, the electric fullback has yet to play in Queensland’s premier rugby league competition.

Campbell has played for Burleigh for the past three years, in the Mal Meninga Cup and the Bears’ A-Grade side last year but remained behind star fullback Kurtis Rowe to steal the Bears No. 1 jersey in the ISC.

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Jayden Campbell looked sharp at fullback for the Titans in their recent trial match against the Burleigh Bears. Picture: Jason O'Brien

He spent the summer training with the Titans top squad after joining the club’s development list and looked sharp in Gold Coast colours last weekend during their trial match against Burleigh.

Seagulls boss Matthew Francis said the club was excited to have Campbell as part of their club.

“He’s got some strong competition like (Tweed fullback) Lindon McGrady who in my mind is an NRL quality player,” Francis said.

“But that doesn’t mean Jayden won’t play the occasional game on the wing.

“As I’m sure Justin Holbrook has demanded, Jayden still has to earn his spot but we’re excited that a player of his quality and caliber is coming to us as part of his development.”

Campbell training with the Titans in 2020. Picture: Adam Head

Campbell said he was focused on breaking it into the Intrust Super Cup side this year.

“I haven’t debuted for (Intrust Super) Cup yet so that’s my first goal and hopefully get some good consistent footy there,” Campbell said.

“I got a good taste of playing at Cup level (last weekend) and hopefully over the next few months I can get a few more games and see what it’s like.

“It’s going to be different (playing for Tweed).

“I’ve been at Burleigh for the last three years and made some really good mates there.

“A few of the boys here are going down so hopefully it’ll be just as good.”

“SUPERCOACH GOD” SICK OF TALKING AND WANTS TO PLAY

Greg Marzhew is the strongest player at the Gold Coast Titans and considered to be a SuperCoach God in the making.

But he is sick of the hype about how good he could be and wants to prove it in the NRL.

Marzhew is desperate to make his NRL debut this season and believes he has been ready for the past five years.

Formerly known as Greg Leleisiuao until he changed his surname for family reasons last year, Marzhew produced one of the best seasons in NSW Cup history in 2019.

His statistics for Wentworthville were insane as he busted 196 tackles – 92 more than the next best – and charged for 4512m at an average of 173m per game in 26 appearances.

The powerfully-built winger-centre joined the Titans on a train-and-trial deal and secured a two-year contract. Then COVID stopped the game and his rise.

Greg Marzhew is waiting for a crack at the NRL. (AAP Image/Albert Perez)

Marzhew made one appearance for Burleigh before the 2020 Intrust Super Cup was suspended and eventually abandoned.

He didn’t play another game for 50 weeks before starring with three tries in the Titans’ 36-34 trial loss to Burleigh on Friday night.

At 23, Marzhew is still waiting to make his NRL debut and wants to let his actions do the talking in 2021.

“I get sick of it,” he said when asked about the hype over his potential and gym feats.

“The whole off-season I stopped doing weights. I tried to do as much functional training and cardio as I could. I feel good this year.

“It has been (a long wait to debut). I’m ready to put in the work. I’ve had enough of the stories, I just want to get it done.

“That’s about it. That’s me wrapped up for the year. I’m just putting my head down and working.

“After the year of COVID I just want to get back out there and play any footy I can.

“I’ve been ready for the last five years. It should be time soon. Hopefully.”

Greg Marzhew played in the Perth Nines last year. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

A former hip hop dancer, Marzhew came through the Titans’ under-20s system in 2015 when he would work in the Rocklea Markets from 3am every morning before heading to training in the afternoon.

He holds the Titans’ all-time bench press record after pumping out 190kg this pre-season to send his teammates into raptures.

Marzhew can squat 210kg and dead lift 250kg, remarkable numbers for an outside back who is only 177cm tall and 104kg.

Marzhew proved against the Bears he has little trouble finding the tryline, but the chip on him has been his defence and he is determined to improve that under coach Justin Holbrook in 2021.

“(Holbrook) has told me to have more of a defensive focus,” Marzhew said.

“He has always told me I have been a chance (to play NRL). It’s just the defensive side of things I have to get right. I need to make the right decisions under fatigue.”

Marzhew was in the Titans under-20s in 2015. Picture Glenn Hampson

Marzhew is unlikely to start the season in the NRL and will instead turn out for the Bears.

But he isn’t far down the pecking order for the Titans and Holbrook said he wanted to see the talented back get some games under his belt.

“I thought he was great,” Holbrook said.

“He just needs to play. He didn’t play at all last year.

“We all need the Queensland Cup up and running. He needs to play some games.”

Originally published as Intrust Super Cup 2021: Jayden Campbell allocated to Tweed Seagulls