By Nick Wright
As Titans star Jayden Campbell declared his days as a fullback were over, with his future now in the halves, the man he replaced will highlight a concerning carousel the Gold Coast club needs to rectify.
Tanah Boyd was released from Parkwood at the end of last year to take up a deal with the New Zealand Warriors, after managing just 23 wins from 67 appearances as both the side’s No.7 and in stints coming off the bench.
The Keebra Park product will make his first NRL appearance for his new side this week after Luke Metcalf ruptured his ACL, after coming up with 16 try assists and 10 linebreak assists from 13 New South Wales Cup wins this year.
A dejected Jayden Campbell after the Gold Coast Titans succumbed to the Dolphins.Credit: NRL Photos
In doing so, Boyd ensures the competition’s top four teams all field a halfback who was discarded from the Titans.
Bulldogs general Toby Sexton, Melbourne superstar Jahrome Hughes, and Canberra leader Jamal Fogarty have all found success since being let go, while the Gold Coast have struggled to lock down a chief playmaker since Scott Prince’s final appearance on the Glitter Strip in 2012.
Albert Kelly, Kane Elgey, Ashley Taylor, Tyrone Roberts, Ryley Jacks and Aidan Sezer have joined the aforementioned quartet in coming and going, while Cameron Cullen and utilities Daniel Mortimer and Will Smith were also infrequently used.
It makes Campbell’s retention as he comes off contract at the end of 2026 so crucial. But with the Perth Bears to join the competition the following year, the club could face a battle for his services.
However, the son of Titans great Preston Campbell said he was yet to consider his long-term future.
“With the way the season’s going, I haven’t really thought about that. I just want to be able to get the results for the club and the fans here, and for our team,” he said.
“I don’t see myself as a fullback any more, I see myself as either a five-eighth or a half, which clears my mind up a little bit more.
“I loved playing fullback, but being in six and seven for the past two years, that’s where I see myself in the future.”
Since Prince’s departure, the Gold Coast have featured in just two finals games - both defeats - with current options Kieran Foran, AJ Brimson, Tom Weaver and Campbell in danger of receiving the Titans’ third wooden spoon.
Foran will no longer be a part of that contigent in 2026, after announcing on Friday he would retire at season’s end.
“This is a game I have loved ever since I was a young boy, so coming to the decision was a difficult one... but it’s now something that I’m really comfortable with,” Foran said.
“Announcing my retirement now allows the club time to plan for 2026, and it also allows me to start preparing for my future after football.”
Wallabies convert Carter Gordon was also tipped to vie for the job before suffering a cerebrospinal fluid leak, a condition affecting the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Campbell has shown signs of promise at halfback – despite coming through the ranks as a fullback – scoring four tries while coming up with five try assists, 33 tackle busts, and averaging 104 running metres a game.
And after being summoned into Queensland Maroons camp last week ahead of the State of Origin series decider, he was adamant he would emerge a more capable player as he sought to steer his side out of the doldrums.
“Growing up, I wouldn’t say I didn’t have a drive to play Origin, but I was still just striving to make the NRL. But now, it’s given me something to chase,” Campbell said.
“I was just being around the group trying to listen to things that could make me a better player. I’m still learning, so hopefully the time comes one day when I get to play Origin.
“The last two years have been a learning curve, especially this year going into seven. I still have a lot to learn and a lot of work to do.”
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