NRL 2025: Jayden Campbell is in the mix to play halfback for the Gold Coast Titans with Kieran Foran to come off the bench

Des Hasler is contemplating a bombshell move that will see Kieran Foran transformed into a ball-playing bench weapon for the Titans.

Jayden Campbell has been training at halfback for the Titans. Picture: Getty Images

Des Hasler is contemplating a bombshell move that will see Jayden Campbell play halfback for the Gold Coast Titans and Kieran Foran transformed into a ball-playing bench weapon.

In a major pre-season development on the Gold Coast, Hasler is set to roll the dice in the 2025 NRL Premiership and unleash a left-field halves pairing in Campbell and Maroons star AJ Brimson.

With Foran on the comeback from ankle surgery, Campbell and Brimson have been training in the halves together and are on track to be Gold Coast’s first-choice playmaking combination.

Wallabies convert Carter Gordon is another prospect, but may have to bide his time in reserve grade learning the intricacies of rugby league before he is thrown into the NRL.

With Campbell and Brimson starting in the halves, Foran could be utilised from the bench as a ball-playing middle.

Foran, 34, underwent an ankle reconstruction in September and has not yet been able to join the Titans in full training.

The 303-game veteran is aiming to be fit for next month’s trials, however will have had limited time training with the team.

When he does return, Foran is expected to be utilised from the bench in a ‘link-man’ role that has become more popular in recent years.

Kiwis livewire Keano Kini will start the season at fullback following his sensational 2024 campaign which saw him crowned Gold Coast’s player of the year.

Foran’s absence has opened the door for a new halves pairing on the Gold Coast and Hasler has taken a punt on Campbell and Brimson.

With Brimson plagued by injuries last year, the Titans looked their most dangerous with Campbell at five-eighth alongside halfback Foran and Kini at fullback.

Kieran Foran is set for a new bench role in 2025. Picture: Matt Blyth/Getty Images

Despite being most comfortable at fullback, Campbell could now be entrusted with the important No. 7 duties on the right side as Hasler looks for a way to get his best players on the park.

Brimson also favours the No.1 jersey, but Kini’s rise has seen the former Queensland Origin representative shifted around the field after he was re-signed until the end of 2030.

The left-footed Brimson will be given another crack at five-eighth on the left side of the field.

The Titans will kick off their pre-season campaign against the Broncos in Toowoomba on February 16, with Hasler expected to test some combinations.

AJ Brimson will have another crack at five-eighth. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

A full strength team will then be rolled out for the final trial against the Dolphins at Redcliffe on February 22, which could see Brimson and Campbell alongside each other for the first time.

Gordon is also expected to feature in the trials along with 2024 schoolboys sensation Zane Harrison.

After recording a third straight bottom four finish last year, the Titans have a bye in the first round of the 2025 NRL season before opening their campaign against the Bulldogs at Belmore on March 16.

Originally published as NRL 2025: Jayden Campbell is in the mix to play halfback for the Gold Coast Titans with Kieran Foran to come off the bench