Carter Gordon suffers injury as Gold Coast Titans star Jayden Campbell readies for shock position shift

“I think he’s physically probably in the best condition he’s ever been in from what I’m seeing and hearing. That in turn is leading into his confidence, he’s playing a role around the leadership of the playing group,” Mitchell said of Campbell.

“I think he’s starting to really find his strides as a senior player. His instinctive nature with the way he plays the game is something to watch, and I think he can take that game and manage it.”

The Gold Coast have struggled to lock down a game-managing halfback since Scott Prince guided the Glitter Strip to consecutive preliminary finals appearances in 2009 and 2010, with Jamal Fogarty briefly finding success before his move to the Canberra Raiders.

But Titans forward Beau Fermor believed Campbell and Brimson’s style could still reap rewards as a pairing.

The club has invested heavily in their pack, with Fermor joined by State of Origin stars Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, David Fifita and Moeaki Fotuaika.

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And the Dalby product pointed to one of the NRL’s juggernauts to suggest the duo could thrive if the engine room clicked into gear.

“Melbourne have got two ball-running halves, and they seem to go all right, so there’s no reason why it can’t work for us if that’s the way Des wants to go,” Fermor said, ahead of the side’s first preseason trial against the Broncos on Sunday.

“I know JC’s been working really hard on his kicking, and he’s been really vocal among the team this preseason. I have no doubt he’ll be able to step up and, if he’s given that role, be able to fill those shoes.

“It’s no secret if your forward pack is going forward, and you’re getting quick play the balls it makes it a lot easier on your halves. If you look at the best teams in the comp, their forward pack really dominates, so that’s something we have to take ownership of.”