NRL 2025: Gold Coast Titans recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard opens up on Parramatta Eels exit

Wearing the Titans kit for the first time, new recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard has lifted the lid on his brutal Eels axing, opening up on the conversation that ended his time at Parramatta.

Former Parramatta prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard has opened up about his brutal axing by new Eels coach Jason Ryles as he targets an NRL premiership swan song on the Gold Coast.

‘RCG’ was officially unveiled in Titans colours at the picturesque Broadbeach on Friday after completing his first pre-season session under Des Hasler.

Campbell-Gillard departed the Eels last month following five seasons in the Blue and Gold Army after securing a three-year contract with the Titans.

Bizarrely, his departure came with a year to run on his Eels contract and after he had been crowned Parramatta’s player of the year in 2024.

Campbell-Gillard was hardly in poor form, having featured in every game for the Eels during a disastrous campaign in which coach Brad Arthur was sacked and they finished 15th.

But his performances were not enough to impress incoming mentor Ryles, who has farewelled Campbell-Gillard and club legend Clint Gutherson in the space of a few weeks as he looks to transform the west.

Titans signing Reagan Campbell-Gillard wearing the club colours for the first time. Credit: Supplied.

Campbell-Gillard, 31, said an honest conversation with Ryles was the end of his 107-game Eels career.

“I said to Ryles ‘tell me how it is’ and he felt like he wanted to go in a different direction,” he said.

“Shit happens. That’s rugby league and how the business works.

“If they don’t want me, that’s all right. I am fully okay with that.

“I understand it’s a business and everyone needs to understand that as well.

“I still had one more year left, but at my age to secure my future was the main thing.

“The Titans came there with the three years. At my age, three years is a lifetime.

“I have landed up here in a great spot on the Gold Coast. I’m excited to get to work and see what we can do next year.”

Campbell-Gillard reveals he had an honest conversation with new Eels coach Jason Ryles, who told the front rower the club wanted to go in a different direction. Picture: Getty Images

Hasler has been grinning like a Cheshire cat after securing a former Kangaroos and NSW Origin prop to complement an already stacked forward pack.

Campbell-Gillard will inject 221 games of NRL experience into a middle forwards rotation including Queensland Origin duo Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Moeaki Fotuaika.

Throw in bulldozing backrowers David Fifita and Beau Fermor and the Titans have arguably one of the hottest packs in the NRL.

Campbell-Gillard made his NRL debut for Penrith in 2015 and played five seasons before departing at the end of 2019, the year before the Panthers kicked off their incredible run of five straight grand final appearances and four consecutive premierships.

The Gold Coast Titans returned to training on November 11. Picture: Glenn Campbell

He played in Parramatta’s 2022 grand final loss to Penrith and would love to taste premiership success on the Gold Coast, especially after talking to a two-time NRL title winner in Hasler.

“I can’t really say much on camera (about what Hasler said). It was short and sharp. He didn’t have to twist my hand too much,” he said.

“The squad and location was appealing and having a good coach as well. I’m excited to get to work and see how he operates as a coach.

“It’s always the dream and goal to chase one (a premiership).

“There’s a lot of boys (at the Titans) that have racked up some numbers now in terms of games and playing four-five seasons.

“You need quality and experience. I’m excited to see what we can do.

“I think we can definitely push for the top eight and the top four and see what happens.”

Originally published as NRL 2025: Gold Coast Titans recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard opens up on Parramatta Eels exit