Rookie Review: Jayden Campbell

It's hard to believe that Jayden Campbell had yet to make his Intrust Super Cup debut, let alone his NRL debut, at the start of the season.

Fast forward to the end of 2021 and the 21-year-old has seven NRL games, including a finals appearance, under his belt.

Campbell's year started with a debut for Tweed Seagulls in round one of the Intrust Super Cup competition against the Capras in round one of the NRL feeder competition.

Across his first two months in the competition, Campbell starred at fullback and quickly impressed in the senior competition.

After pulling on the Titans jersey for pre-season clashes, Campbell got the chance to wear it for real when an opportunity arose in round 13 against the Melbourne Storm.

With AJ Brimson part of the Queensland State of Origin campaign, Campbell became Titan #165 when he made his debut on the Sunshine Coast.

Two more games followed against the Roosters and Sea Eagles and Campbell showed that not only was he ready for first grade, but he shone.

His next opportunity again came against the Storm in Round 23 as Brimson spent time on the sidelines with a jaw injury.

He featured in the number one jersey in a crucial period as the Titans looked to return to the NRL finals series for the first time in five seasons.

Campbell scored a double in the Titans 44 points to 0 win over the Warriors in round 25, a win that guaranteed a finals start.

Campbell's form has excited the Titans Legion, with the rookie fullback joining his father Preston (the Titans inaugural signing) in the club's history books.

Across his seven games in 2021, Campbell scored five tries.

He averaged 166 running metres and had three try assists, 31 tackle breaks and 3 line breaks to his credit.

The local junior was rewarded with a contract upgrade that will see him move from the development list to the club's top 30 players, with Campbell now locked in as a Titan until the end of 2024.

Campbell will re-join his Titans team-mates when pre-season begins in November.