NRL Moneyball Round 5, Transfer news: Parramatta Eels interested in Gold Coast’s Jayden Campbell
A Gold Coast flyer’s secret contract clause has put Parramatta on red alert. But, what would it mean for skipper Clint Gutherson? Full transfer news in Moneyball.
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Titans livewire Jayden Campbell has emerged as a mooted target for Parramatta as the Eels chase an explosive match-winner to support captain Clint Gutherson in their premiership pursuit.
News Corp can reveal Campbell is on a hit-list of prospective recruits following revelations of a secret contract clause that’s set to make the Gold Coast speedster a free-agent.
Campbell, 23, is contracted to the Titans until the end of 2024, however he has a clause in his deal that will allow him to negotiate with rival clubs in the coming weeks if he hits a minimum games benchmark this season.
That would open the door for the Eels to make a play for Campbell, who is stuck behind Queensland Origin star AJ Brimson in the fullback pecking order at the Titans.
Campbell’s situation at the Titans is being monitored by a number of rival clubs after he was relegated to a bench utility position in the opening rounds this season.
The Eels have also been linked with Tigers duo Daine Laurie and Charlie Staines as they look to fill three vacant spots in their top 30.
Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook rates the son of Dally M legend Preston Campbell highly, however there is a log-jam of fullbacks at the club.
Brimson, sidelined for the next month with a hamstring injury, has been given first crack at the No.1 jersey in 2023 and the Titans also have rising youngster Keano Kini coming through the ranks.
Kini was one of the top schoolboy talents in the country last year, prompting the Titans to sign him until the end of 2026.
The Titans are desperate to retain Campbell and view him as a potential five-eighth option, with Kieran Foran contracted until the end of 2024 and battling injury.
With Brimson sidelined, the coming weeks will put Campbell well and truly in the shop window, although it is understood a number of clubs are already circling.
The Eels are believed to be among them. They are in the market for some extra firepower following last year’s grand final defeat and Campbell would fit the bill given his electric speed and explosiveness.
However, he is on a healthy deal at the Titans and News Corp was told the club would fight tooth-and-nail to ensure he stays well beyond his existing deal given his connection to the club.
Preston Campbell is one of the most significant figures in Gold Coast’s recent history after being the first player signed by the Titans for their 2007 NRL launch.
While the Titans attempt to keep their rivals at bay, Gutherson revealed he had discussed the prospect of improving the roster with coach Brad Arthur amid talk it could mean a move away from the fullback position.
“We’ve got three spots to fill in our top 30 and we were just going back and forth with what we need, where we want to go in the next few years and this season as well,” Gutherson told Sky Sports Radio on Tuesday.
“I just said ‘Let’s look at everyone.’ I’m there to win games, I’ve always said I’m there to win. I just love to play footy and win games.
“Obviously this has come out in the last 24 hours, I think it’s been blown out of proportion, to be honest.
“I said to Brad that I would be happy to win games of footy, as would everyone else in the team. It doesn’t bother me one bit, I woke up this morning with a smile on my face and I’m going to work soon. It doesn’t bother me.
“I’ll be open to it, but Brad said to me they won’t just do it to do it. It’s one of those things they will make sure that if it does happen, it’s going to be the right player.
“From all I’ve heard, there’s been no talks with anyone else yet. I’m just going about my business, I think I’m only getting into the best part of my career now.
“It’s going to be hard to find someone to replace me and I’ll keep that spot as long as I can.”
HOW GUTHO REACTED TO EELS’ FULLBACK PUSH
Fatima Kdouh
‘Get me Teddy, I’ll play in the centres’.
That was Parramatta skipper Clint Gutherson’s cheeky response to coach Brad Arthur’s revelation the club was looking for depth in the fullback position on the open market.
Earlier this week it was revealed Arthur had informed Gutherson that Parramatta were on the look-out for an x-factor player, potentially a fullback, to add to this year’s roster.
It comes after news Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton, who can also play at centre and fullback, hit the radar of the Eels after putting himself on the open market.
But on Tuesday evening, the coach moved to shut down talk Gutherson was destined to switch from the back into the centres to make way for a new recruit.
And the only fullback Gutherson would be willing to move for is Sydney Roosters star James Tedesco.
“He has often joked ‘get me Teddy, I’ll play in the centres’,” Arthur revealed.
“We haven’t had any discussions about moving him to the centres. Our usual discussion with Gutho (Gutherson) has been around improving our roster.
“Would we be advantaged if we can get someone off the bench with a bit of x-factor, if Gutho was to go down who replaces him.
Arthur also revealed Gutherson played the last five games of the season with a broken hand and struggled to come-up with the best game-plan to deal with the worst case scenario, that the 28-year old would succumb to the injury.
One plan was to move halfback Mitchell Moses into the no.1 position.
“Gutho had a broken hand no one knew about, he played the last four or five games with a broken hand. We had Jake (Arthur) on the bench in case of an emergency where Mitchell (Moses) would have to go to fullback.
“That’s not the best for our team moving Mithcell around, we are looking at a couple of middles. We are just trying to improve our squad. Gutho is open to anything that makes the team better. But it would be hard to get a fullback better than him.
“They’ll have to be a pretty good fullback for us to be replacing Gutherson at fullback.”
A depth signing at either fullback or outside is only one of three spots left for Arthur to fill in this year’s top 30 roster.
The coach said he would be open to looking at filling those spots internally, through upgraded contracts and promotions.
“We have three spots available with a bit of cash. We want to strengthen our squad, we are looking at numerous players in numerous positions,” Arthur said.
“One of the spots we need is a bit of coverage of another outside. It might be a centre, winger that can play a bit of fullback. It might be a fullback that can play a bit in the halves. It’s hard to know exactly what’s out there and available.”
SUPERCOACH STUD SET TO CASH IN AFTER FLYING START
From the Dolphin whose stocks continue to rise to the Melbourne whiz kid who keeps adding value to the Sharks golden boy becoming one the game’s elite to the bulldozing Knights winger who has pounced on his opportunity after the axing of a Roosters signing - it’s all here in Brent Read’s NRL market movers.
READMAN’S MARKET MOVERS
NICHO HYNES (SHARKS)
Value: $700,000 > $1.2 million
The star of round 4 has another year remaining on his deal with the Sharks but the club has opened preliminary talks over a contract extension. His price has skyrocketed since he signed with the club.
CONNELLY LEMUELU (DOLPHINS)
Value: $220,000 > $350,000
An unsung hero of the Dolphins’ bright start to the year, Lemuelu is believed to be in line for an extension.
JONAH PEZET (STORM)
Value: $210,000 > $375,000
Pezet has been thrust into the spotlight after injury to Cameron Munster and the suspension of Jahrome Hughes. He hasn’t let anyone down with the way he has played.
JACKSON FORD (WARRIORS)
Value: $180,000 > $410,000
Another unsung hero, it seems hard to believe that Ford struggled to find a club at the end of last season. Has been outstanding for the Warriors through four rounds.
GREG MARZHEW (KNIGHTS)
$230,000 > $340,000
The pocket rocket had to wait to get his chance but he stepped in for Dom Young at the weekend and blitzed the Raiders.
THE TURBO INTEL THAT SEALED WOODS’ MANLY SWITCH
By Brent Read and Phil Rothfield
Manly coach Anthony Seibold has revealed that he picked the brains of the Trbojevic brothers before pressing the go button on a deal to bring veteran front rower Aaron Woods to the club.
Woods will begin training with the Sea Eagles on Tuesday after his swap deal with youngsters Viliame Fifita and Alec Tuitavake was confirmed late on Monday.
The 32-year-old Woods played 19 games with St George Illawarra but looks destined to finish his career on Sydney’s northern beaches, having joined the Sea Eagles with immediate effect.
Fifita and Tuitavake have gone in the opposite direction.
Woods was a regular fixture in the Dragons side after joining the club last year and Seibold has revealed that his former State of Origin teammates Tom and Jake Trbojevic played a role in the decision to bring him to Manly.
“It’s a good opportunity to add some experience,” Seibold said.
“I spoke to Jake and Tom, who have played with him at Origin and with the Kangaroos. They both agreed he’d be a good fit at our club.
“He was also at the Wests Tigers when Josh Aloiai and Taniela Paseka were young fellas. I spoke to Flanno and Jimmy Dymock. Flanno coached him at Cronulla and the Dragons and Jimmy at the Bulldogs.
“All the feedback was really positive on what he could do for us. Woodsy know he starts in reserve grade and has to earn his spot. He’s a man’s man and he’s really excited about coming.
“He’s coming to Mudgee and it will be great that he’s got time with the group this week. We’re looking forward to him making a contribution.”
Woods admitted it was nice to feel wanted after it emerged the Trbojevic brothers were key figures in his move to Manly.
Woods won’t play NRL this weekend, when Manly play Newcastle, and is expected to make his debut as a Sea Eagles via NSW Cup on Sunday.
He supported Manly as a boy and admitted he was overjoyed to hear that Jake and Tom Trbojevic had pushed for the move.
“It makes you feel like you are wanted,” Woods said.
“It was nice to hear those guys want you there. They are the ones who wanted me there.
“I just want to get in and meet all the boys. I was a big Manly fan growing up and it’s great to play for a club that you loved supporting.”
Woods revealed he only found out on Friday of the potential move to Manly and said he harboured no I’ll will towards the Dragons, having played 19 games for the club over the past two seasons.
“I had a really good time, met some good people there and they are a great club,” Woods said.
“I hope they go well. It is good for rugby league if they are going well because they are a powerhouse club.”
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