Jayden Campbell is a brilliant footballer. On his day, the Gold Coast playmaker can turn a match on its head single-handedly.
Last Sunday, after the Titans’ narrow two-point defeat to South Sydney, Campbell was widely praised not for his skill, but for his restraint.
In the dying moments, he copped a slap across the face. Instead of milking it, Campbell simply got to his feet and played the ball.
No lingering on the ground. No clutching at his jaw. No wide-eyed stare at referee Todd Smith in search of a penalty that might have levelled the scores.
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He didn’t chase sympathy, he just got on with it. And for that, he was applauded.
That alone speaks volumes about the concerning direction rugby league is heading.
Diving is creeping back into the game, with players feigning injury in blatant attempts to draw the bunker’s attention and win penalties.
A slap, if caused by mitigating circumstances, won’t earn a penalty on review.
Campbell showed exactly how to handle it.
The irony? Even if he had stayed down, he wouldn’t have been awarded a penalty.
The NRL did confirm the act was worthy of a penalty, but not one that the bunker could have intervened to give.