Campbell stars in milestone as Parra drop to five straight losses

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Gold Coast Titans v Parramatta Eels

Jayden Campbell starred in game 50 setting up three Titans tries as the Gold Coast secured three straight wins for the first time since 2021. 

Gold Coast capitalised early after a suspect tackle in the air penalty. Jojo Fifita broke through for the opening line-break before sustained field position eventually took it's toll on the Parramatta defence. A lovely cut-out ball from Jayden Campbell found Alofiana Khan-Pereira who crossed untouched to go top of the try-scorers tally for 2024 and his 17th try in 17 games at CBUS Super Stadium. Campbell capped his return from injury with a great sideline conversion for 6-0.

The Eels refused to do little favours for themselves after conceding a penalty which allowed the Titans to march down field. David Fifita linked up with Campbell who found Khan-Pereria to cross for his second in three minutes to continue his impressive streak with his 11th career double. Within a blink of an eye, it was 12-0 after 14 minutes.

Matt Doorey thought he capitalised on a rare mistake from the Titans, but with the line open he spilled it. After some back and forth moments, Jake Tago was crunched in a great shot from Campbell which forced the ball loose. The Titans capitalised on the error by shifting the ball to Phil Sami. Sami was able to beat the covering defensive efforts to cross for the Titans' third and it was 18-0 after 20 minutes.

Parramatta were guilty of over-trying, but eventually some chances were going to stick and it did in bizarre circumstances. AJ Brimson went for a dart out of dummy half and offloaded it straight to Blaize Talagi who got it onto Luca Moretti. The Clovelly Crocodile crossed with his first touch to bring Parramatta back into the contest with ten to play in the first half. Both sides did squander good field position and scoring chances, so at the end of the first half, the Titans were in front by 18-6.

Parramatta started with fire and were nearly rewarded when debutant Lorenzo Mulitalo got within metres from the line in the opening set of the second stanza. AJ Brimson had a successful return from injury and was replaced un-injured with 25 minutes to play by Keano Kini. The Titans had the first of the second half after a clever grubber from Campbell caught Clint Gutherson out of position. Brian Kelly won the race to the ball for the first of the second half to extend the gap to 18.  

Parramatta weren't going away. After Klese Haas was slow to clear the ruck, the Eels responded as Will Penisini muscled his way to the line. Penisini beat three disappointing defensive efforts from the Titans on his way to the line with 20 to go. Gold Coast suffered a blow with 20 to go, with David Fifita having to depart following a category two concussive incident following a tackle on Penisini, but would return in the dying moments.  

Gold Coast were starting to fall off tackles and Parramatta were marching up field. With 15 to go, Gutherson got into dummy half and managed to beat three defenders on his way to the line. Referee Todd Smith was in the best position to see if the ball hit the line and awarded the try which was confirmed. Asi quickly converted from in front and Parramatta had gotten the margin back to a two possession game.

The Parra half would come from the field with 10 to go, making that task even harder. Gold Coast thought they had the game secured with 5 to go after Khan-Pereria thought he had a hattrick but he was denied in a brilliant try-saver from Brown. Despite last ditch efforts, Parramatta were unable to muster up the score to set-up a grandstand finish.