Campbell-Gillard drops Eels bombshell, eyes franchise spot at new team

Reagan Campbell-Gillard has blindsided Parramatta powerbrokers with a Dolphins declaration: the former Origin prop will not be taking up his 12-month option at the club, and will hit the open player market on November 1.

Not only that, but Campbell-Gillard has aspirations to head north to Redcliffe.

According to the Parramatta prop’s player agent, Mark Stewart, the 28-year-old would “certainly entertain being the face of the new Brisbane franchise,” the Dolphins, which were recently rubber-stamped by the NRL as the league’s seventh team.

The Redcliffe team — though don’t call them that anymore — are joining the competition in 2023, and are already licking their lips at the veritable horde of franchise players that could be at their fingertips as the cashed-up Brisbane club look to make a big impact in their opening campaign in the big leagues.

They’ve already scooped up Wayne Bennett, pending paperwork, to helm the franchise, and are now looking for two or three major players to be the faces of the QRL’s new frontier.

“We’ve informed Parramatta that Reagan isn’t taking up his option for 2023,” said Stewart.

“I want to stress there is no issue with Parramatta. We will go to the open market and clubs will want to speak to us come November 1, which brings a second Brisbane team into the equation.”

The Sporting Base understands that Campbell-Gillard is fairly high on a number of clubs’ shopping lists, especially after he signalled his intention to depart Parramatta as loudly as he did in the media these last few weeks.

The 28-year-old is allegedly chasing close to the $1 million mark for his next contract. He has all but turned down the Eels and their $800k offer, which would see him extend his stay in Parramatta beyond the end of 2022. At the moment the former Panther is raking in $750k a year, with a player option in his favour for 2023 and, if activated, a club option the other way for 2024.

For Campbell-Gillard though, staying in Brisbane post-COVID lockdown to raise his first child up north is a tantalising offer, which puts the Dolphins and Broncos well and truly in the drivers’ seats.

[adrotate banner=”9″]

“A second Brisbane team would certainly be attractive,” his agent says.

“Reagan and his partner are expecting their first child in January and they are weighing up some family considerations. They spent the last few months in Queensland during Covid and it was quite appealing to raise a young family. [And] Wayne Bennett’s track record speaks for itself. Like Brad Arthur (Eels coach), Reagan would thrive under Wayne’s coaching.

“Reagan is close to a lot of players at Parramatta, Brad has been fantastic for him and he really enjoys being coached by him. However, we need to explore our options before we make any decision on which way he will move going forward.

“He has the chance to be the face of a new organisation.”

Fill In The Form To Get Our NRL News Straight To Your Email For FREE!