Preston Campbell has today declared that should the Gold Coast Titans win the NRL premiership this year, that he is ready to retire.
Campbell, who was the Titans first signing upon their inception, revealed how he is secretly tossing up the idea of retirement depending on the Titans success in the remaining games of the NRL.
Should he exit, his departure would be unexpected, but he would join fellow stalwart Mat Rogers in retirement.
In order to reward their experienced duo however, the Titans will need to win this week’s game against the Roosters, and then the Grand Final game.
“If we win, that could be it for me, I’ve been thinking about that,” Campbell said.
“I haven’t made my mind up yet but it’s definitely on the table, we’ll see what happens.
“To finish like that would be incredible.
“The only guy I remember doing that is Shane Webcke at (Brisbane) Broncos (2006).
“My mind and heart are still really fresh but I know you can’t go on forever. My body’s not slowing down but it’s getting harderĂ‚Â … it takes longer to recover.”
Campbell, who still has a niggling hamstring injury cost him a spot in the clubs opening finals game, but the 33 year old is adamant that he will feature in this week’s game against the Roosters, and feature in his teams side.
Despite his confidence that he will play however, if he feels that there is any doubt regarding his injury, he will gladly step aside so that the Titans aren’t left with 16 men on game day.
Whilst the option of playing on in 2011 remains, Campbell has already held talks with CEO Michael Searle about possibly closing the curtains on his illustrious 13 year career.
With boom back William Zillman firing on all cylinders, Campbell has no problems stepping aside, and he feels that the time to step away from the game is getting closer.
I’ve spoken to Searley a lot, he’s always known,” he said.
“I haven’t talked to Carty (John Cartwright) about it, but I think he knows how I’m feeling.”
“They’ve always let me know that I can stay for as long as I want much or less. That’s great to know, it makes you feel comfortable”.
“I want to make sure that the club is in good hands, and I think it is now with William Zillman and Shannon Walker here. I want to do the best thing by the club.”
“I don’t want to just hand it to them, but it will get to the stage where it will be the right time to go”.
Winning the NRL premiership in 2010 would cap off an amazing year for the livewire fullback, who was the captain of the Indigenous All Stars team, an idea that he brought up and is credited with.
Should he end his career at the end of 2010, it will be comforting, given that he started his career with the now defunct Gold Coast Chargers in 1998.
He has two Dally M’s to his name having won one with the Cronulla Shark sin 2001, and the second with the Penrith Panthers in 2003, their premiership winning season.
The star fullback has said that when he does retire, he will play local footy on the Gold Coast.
However, like fellow Titans player Mat Rogers, he will still keep his options open, and if the Titans need a player, he will gladly step in to fill that role.
“I won’t play Queensland Cup because that’s a feeder system for the NRL, and I don’t want to stand in anyone’s path,” Campbell says.
“But I’d like to keep running around locally”.