Preston Campbell’s son Jayden out to snap his CBUS finals record

On Saturday Jayden Campbell will follow in his old man’s footsteps on to CBUS Super Stadium to play in a senior grand final with supporters packing the grandstand named after his dad.

It’s been nine years since the Gold Coast’s greatest fullback last graced the stadium previously known as Skilled Park but déjà vu is about the strike.

Excitement is building for Saturday’s RLGC A Grade decider when another Campbell will don the No.1 jersey in pursuit of glory at CBUS Super Stadium.

Burleigh fullback Jayden Campbell is the 20-year-old son of Titans legend Preston Campbell.

On Saturday he will follow in his old man’s footsteps on to that special surface to play in a senior grand final with supporters packing the grandstand named after his dad.

Gold Coast Titans Vs Canterbury Bulldogs from Skilled Park, Robina - Jayden Campbell, son of Titans Preston Campbell, playing at half time in 2009.

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And although Preston played 43 of his 103 Titans matches at the stadium, young Jayden is already a chance to better him in one key stat.

Of all his games in Titans colours, Campbell Snr never won a finals clash at Robina.

The defending champion Burleigh Bears will start as underdogs against the Runaway Bay Seagulls but Jayden will play a key role in flipping that script.

Titans legend Preston Campbell's son Jayden at training ahead of a trial game on the weekend. Pics Adam Head

His head-to-head clash with star Runaway Bay fullback John Mackin will be instrumental to his team’s chances of success.

Campbell signed a three-year development contract with the Titans last year and shone in a pre-season trial match for Gold Coast against Burleigh.

If he hopes to cement his place in the Titans’ Top 30 squad in 2021, a star turn in a senior grand final is the way to go about it.

EARLIER

Currumbin Eagles winger Matt Geyer had done just about it all in rugby league.

More than 260 NRL games, Grand Final wins and losses with the Melbourne Storm and a State of Origin series in 1999 - but few moments compared to what he achieved on Saturday.

Coming out of retirement to play alongside his sons Nash and Cole, all three Geyers crossed the chalk in their first ever game of A Grade together.

Geyer said it was a moment he had waited years to experience.

“I’d looked forward to this day for many years,” the 45-year-old said.

“I’d always said it was a goal to play a game of footy with them but I wasn’t sure that day would come. To play with them both at the same time was really special for me.”

Geyer Snr’s score, an 80 metre intercept he had to finish himself after the cover defence caught winger Ben Willetts, was as good as many of his 113 NRL tries.

WATCH THE TRY HERE:

For those that missed Matt Geyers try in A grade yesterday, here it is. Great support play by Benny Willetts. Thanks to BarTV Sports Rugby League ❤️🦅🏉❤️🦅🏉❤️🦅🏉

Posted by Currumbin Eagles RLFC on Saturday, 3 October 2020

“Over 40 metres I looked okay but then the lack of training kicked in,” he said.

“That was another part of the thrill, as my sons progressed so too did their mates.

“I’ve been coaching at Currumbin for 12 years and there were four or five boys that I’ve coached over the years in that team.

“One of them was Ben Willetts, and he pushed the final pass (back to me).

“Cole (Geyer) was backing up on the inside but as soon as I gave him the ball it was always coming back to me.

“Benny did the old fossil a favour.”

Ormeau halfback Conner Toia gave valiant chase and tackled Geyer as he crossed the line but couldn’t prevent the score.

Melbourne Storm legend Matt Geyer and sons Nash and Cole all scored tries for Currumbin over Ormeau. (L-R: Nash Geyer, Lachlan Cooper, Cole Geyer, Matt Geyer, Ben Willlets)

Geyer said he had a word with the Burleigh Queensland Cup representative as he scored.

“He seemed a good fella but he could have done me a favour,” he said.

“It was all in good spirit and he wanted to make the old fella earn every metre.

“It took me a while to get up from the corner, and I was laughing with Martin Griese (Currumbin coach) that I haven’t scored a try in seven years.”

Geyer’s sons joined him on the scoresheet with three tries across the two generations.

Nash, 20, played on the opposite centre to his old man and scored on a pass thrown by his younger brother Cole, 19, who played hooker.