There’s no denying new recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard will be a handy addition to Gold Coast’s forward pack, but the experienced prop’s leadership is also something the club will be calling on alongside fellow mentors Kieran Foran and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
Foran – who will embark on his 17th season after confirming in August he’ll play on in 2025 – has been pivotal in the growth of the Titans since Des Hasler’s arrival and proved to be the perfect stand-in skipper when Fa’asuamaleaui suffered a season-ending knee injury in Round 3.
Recently notching up his 300th NRL appearance, Titans CEO Steve Mitchell is excited to see the veteran playmaker continue his career with the club, welcoming Campbell-Gillard and Fa’asuamaleaui return to help boost the Gold Coast’s leadership group in 2025.
"Kieran is inspirational and he's an extraordinary role model for our emerging squad here at the Titans,” he said.
"We are both grateful and honoured to have him with us as he ventures into his 17th season of NRL. The enormous contribution he makes on and off the field certainly isn’t lost, especially when it comes to his phenomenal leadership qualities.
"To help this, we’re really excited to welcome Reagan to the Coast, who has a wealth of experience behind him with over 200 games to his name, plus we get Tino back into our squad full-time next year who is close to fully recovering from his ACL injury.
"These three men will be pivotal to our 2025 campaign and helping steer our talented and ever-growing playing squad towards our ultimate goal of bringing success to the Gold Coast."
Foran shared his excitement for what's to come in 2025 when he put pen to paper earlier this year to confirm he'll play on.
"We’ve got a great young group here at the Titans," Foran said.
"2025 will be the second year under Des’ (Hasler) coaching and I’m really keen to be involved in what we are building.
"Having been around the game for a long time, I know that we’ve got something good growing here on the Coast and I’m excited to play on into next season."
Foran wouldn't have known of Campbell-Gillard's arrival at the time, but 'Big Reg' will join as the most experienced prop behind Moe Fotuaika (141 games) following the departure of Isaac Liu, becoming the second most-capped player behind the 34-year-old journeyman.
Campbell-Gillard is also looking forward to linking up and growing under ever-experienced playmaker Kieran Foran, who will play on in his 17th season next year and continue his role as a mentor for the Titans squad.
"He's the complete package and an absolute competitor... you don't play 300 games just from dipping your toe in," he said.
"He's always given 100 percent where he can and whatever team he plays for and that extends to rep football as well."
"I've played a few games against him and I'm pretty keen to work with him and see how he operates as a leader as well."
The new recruit will also be a great asset for emerging captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui who will bring up his 100th NRL appearance upon his return next season.
The pair already know each other well - having spent over a month together representing the Kangaroos at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.
"I've played with him in Tests and I'm glad to be alongside him instead of playing against him," Campbell-Gillard said.
"He's a quality player and a quality leader for the Titans as well as at Origin and International level as well.
"I don't really talk much on the field or within the four walls, but I'll always back a leader while playing my own game and doing my part where I can fit in.
"He's still young... he's a young leader and a young captain as well, so I'll be there to hopefully take some pressure off him coming back from injury and take a bit of heat off it.
"Although, I'm sure he'll be fine and he always leads with his actions as well."
