News 2024 gold coast titans reagan campbell gillard links billy slater comments exclusive 20240924 p5kd4z.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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EXCLUSIVE: Billy Slater backs Titans' chase of 'aggressive' Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Damien McCartney
Damien McCartney

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Billy Slater has given the tick of approval to the Gold Coast Titans in its chase to sign exiled Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

Campbell-Gillard had been linked to the Bulldogs, Dragons and Broncos among others, before reports emerged over the weekend the Titans were now frontrunners to secure his services on a multi-year deal.

Speaking on Nine's The Billy Slater Podcast, the Maroons coach said he would be a "handy" pickup for the Titans to further bolster an already big forward pack.

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And for the man himself, it would present "a fresh start" after five years at Parramatta.

"He's a quality player (and) he's in some good form. He's a real aggressive front-rower – I think he'd be a handy pickup," he said.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard in action for the Eels against the Dragons in round 26.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard in action for the Eels against the Dragons in round 26. NRL Photos

Campbell-Gillard has nine Test caps for the Kangaroos across the 2017 and 2022 World Cups, and has made three Origin appearances for the Blues.

"You (don't) see a lot of players with this sort of quality. He's played international football, he's played State of Origin football. I think he's still got plenty to offer," Slater continued.

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"Some of those clubs that didn't play in the finals, like the Dragons and the Titans, they could really do with a Reagan Campbell-Gillard."

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The 31-year-old still had one year remaining on his Eels contract. It's believed Parramatta wanted to keep him for 2025, but had made it clear there would be no offer of a fresh deal beyond that.

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Incoming Eels coach Jason Ryles last week said Campbell-Gillard's departure was "nothing personal", and both parties "came to an agreement (a release) was best for both of us".

Slater said should he land there, RCG's arrival at the Titans would make an eye-watering forward pack.

"You've got Tino Fa'asuamaleaui who will come back next year off that knee reconstruction, big Mo Fotuaika who's elevated himself into a representative front rower, and then you add Reagan Campbell-Gillard, they're really strong leaders of a forward pack," he said.

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Jaimin Jolliffe also proved himself to be worthy of a starting spot, and Slater said 20-year-old Josiah Pahulu had also caught his eye. Throw in Beau Fermor and veteran second-rower David Fifita, and "they've got a really strong forward pack building there," Slater said.

"If Reagan Campbell Gillard was a signing at the Titans, it would be a positive one."

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