But Harrison – who was praised by Foran as a “smart” and “classy” playmaker who appeared “unfazed by the pressure” – declared he was not content serving as the trio’s back-up.

Winning is part of the 19-year-old’s DNA, showcasing brilliant game management for PBC’s national title and the Tweed Seagulls’ Mal Meninga Cup triumph, and he was adamant he could become the long-standing halfback the Gold Coast have craved, despite his admiration for Campbell – the man he intends to usurp.

“I’m backing myself, if I get put in a position where I’m wearing that No.7 I’m sure I won’t let them down,” Harrison said.

“We all train with the NRL for a reason, and that’s to play NRL. You don’t train for NRL to play Cup, so as long as you’re training here you’re training for a spot and competing for a spot.

“I still look up to JC and how he plays the game – just that off the cuff [style]. It’s around his running game and unstructured footy, and how he can come up with plays on the spot and put the ball in the right hands.”

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Even the most elite prospects need a powerful forward pack to play behind, with the Titans set to rely on blossoming youngsters such as Arama Hau and Cooper Bai to fill the voids left by David Fifita (Rabbitohs) and Reagan Campbell-Gillard (London Broncos).

Hau, who managed seven short stints off the bench in 2025, was adamant the youth had the tools to spearhead a Titans’ revolution.

“Dave … looked after me well and took me under his wing coming from Keebra. It’s sad to see him go, but for myself I’m a bit happy to see that back-row spot open up,” Hau said.

“It’s getting my fitness up, that’s always been my issue. I really want to be a household name, so hopefully this year I can show everyone what’s good.”

PBC and Keebra Park have bred some of the game’s most elite talent, only to watch them thrive away from the Glitter Strip. Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Blake Mozer and Fifita were all poached by the Broncos from Keebra Park, while Tom Dearden, Brendan Piakura and Jahrome Hughes all attended PBC.

Kangaroos flyer Xavier Coates also graduated from Marymount College.

But Hannay has arrived at Parkwood with a pledge to recapture the grassroots pathways and halt the exodus of Gold Coast talents – a move bolstered by NRL great Matthew Johns buying an ownership stake in the club.

“Matt was up here during the week, and he seems to have a real passion to want to get out and his boots on the ground in junior leagues, with our pathways and have a real presence there,” Hannay said.

“That’s one of the most exciting parts about our direction moving forward, there’s a renewed vigour for us to invest in our pathways to ensure we’re keeping the best kids from the region – not just the Gold Coast, but the Northern Rivers – as Gold Coast Titans.

“That’s the real passion of his, and we’re very much aligned in that.”