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NRL 2021: Titans sign Intrust Super Cup star Shallin Fuller to partner Jayden Campbell

The Titans have signed the Intrust Super Cup’s hottest talent and are ready to deliver the NRL its next Johnathan Thurston-Matt Bowen combination.

Shallin Fuller. Picture: QRL Media / Jorja Brinums
Shallin Fuller. Picture: QRL Media / Jorja Brinums

The Gold Coast Titans have signed the Intrust Super Cup’s hottest young talent in the hope of delivering the NRL its next Johnathan Thurston-Matt Bowen combination.

Burleigh sensation Shallin Fuller will join the Titans next season on a development contract after setting Queensland’s top competition alight.

Fuller, 21, is an Indigenous playmaker from Beaudesert who was introduced to the Bears in 2019 by former skipper Jamal Fogarty, now co-captain at the Titans.

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Fuller and Jayden Campbell, son of Gold Coast legend Preston Campbell who is now playing fullback for the Titans, carved up the under-20s competition that year in what was a remarkable season for the dynamic duo.

Now, they will rekindle their relationship at the Titans and hope to find the spark that made them as dangerous as North Queensland’s famous one-two punch in Thurston and Bowen.

The Titans have signed Shallin Fuller from Burleigh. Picture: QRL Media / Jorja Brinums
The Titans have signed Shallin Fuller from Burleigh. Picture: QRL Media / Jorja Brinums

“Honestly, Shal is one of the best young talents I have ever played with,” Campbell said.

“He is a freakish footballer. He is just a natural football player.

“I scored 24 tries in 2019 for the Burleigh Bears Colts and he set up about 20 of my tries.

“Shal reminds me of my dad. He is quick off his feet, he is fast and he is just a freak. He can be a star in the NRL.

“It would be awesome for him to stay at the Titans for a long time. I’ve signed my new deal (until 2024) and I was telling Shal to sign as well because I would love for us to link-up again playing NRL for the Titans.”

Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen had a great combination with the Cowboys.
Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen had a great combination with the Cowboys.

Fuller has made seven ISC appearances for the Bears this year since debuting in Round 8 in a season that’s been disrupted by Covid.

While he has only started three of those games at halfback, he has still managed to amass 10 try assists and scored four tries of his own.

Fuller’s YouTube highlights reel show a freakishly talented player who has a unique combination with Campbell that’s reminiscent of Thurston and Bowen in their prime.

Burleigh CEO Damian Driscoll said the club was thrilled to see Fuller take the next step to the NRL.

Titans fullback Jayden Campbell can’t wait to link up with Fuller. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Titans fullback Jayden Campbell can’t wait to link up with Fuller. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“Shallin came here in 2019 from Beaudesert with some help from Jamal Fogarty,” he said.

“He carved up that under-20s competition with Jayden then played A-grade last year and kept improving. He has continued to improve in the Intrust Super Cup this year under Rick’s (Stone, coach) guidance.

“We are really happy. You love to see those guys rewarded and he certainly deserves it. His try-assists and line break assists statistics are very impressive.

“Winning premierships is what we want to do but when you see players like Shallin come into your system and develop it gives you a real thrill.

“Shallin and Jayden in that 2019 team were freakish. They do things that others can’t do and that makes them special.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Titans sign Intrust Super Cup star Shallin Fuller to partner Jayden Campbell

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2021-titans-sign-intrust-super-cup-star-shallin-fuller-to-partner-jayden-campbell/news-story/1057ea7585d436b66446b1b17be93f5d