Watching NSW tear Queensland to shreds last Sunday night was bittersweet for Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
While he was happy to watch the procession of NSW tries, each time the Blues crossed was another twist of the knife for the Panthers prop, whose poor start to the season left Brad Fittler with little choice but to find forwards elsewhere.
Rollercoaster: Reagan Campbell-Gillard went from Origin hero to reserve grader before winning his NRL spot back.Credit:NRL Photos
"I think everyone that has been there … I have only played one game so I cant really say I should be there but I know the type of player that I am," he said.
"I do feel like I can be back there and if its not for Game III, I definitely have to set myself that goal again to be there because its definitely a great game and a game that you always cherish.
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"You watch it as a young kid and aspire to be there one day.
"I just dont want to be that player that plays the one Origin game. I would like to get a few under the belt and be a happy, more confident player for the rest of my career."
Finding both happiness and confidence has been easier said than done for Campbell-Gillard.
An honest conversation with coach Ivan Cleary proved to be the tonic he needed after hitting rock bottom when relegated to Canterbury Cup duties last month.
"Everyone prides themselves on not getting dropped but that was the kick up the butt and wake-up call," he said.
"I took it with both hands and had a really good conversation with [Cleary].
"I probably deserved it and I was looking … it was probably at the start of the year when I should have been dropped.
I just dont want to be that player that plays the one Origin game.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard
"For it to go on so long and to go through the motions, I just wasnt happy with my football."
The root of the poor form still remains somewhat of a mystery to Campbell-Gillard, who was philosophical when asked to expand upon the conversation with Cleary.
"I asked myself so many questions. I believe things that happened to me in the past caught up. I just think thats the karma," he said.
"I feel personally it caught up and theres nothing I can do about it. Thats Read More – Source
Watching NSW tear Queensland to shreds last Sunday night was bittersweet for Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
While he was happy to watch the procession of NSW tries, each time the Blues crossed was another twist of the knife for the Panthers prop, whose poor start to the season left Brad Fittler with little choice but to find forwards elsewhere.
Rollercoaster: Reagan Campbell-Gillard went from Origin hero to reserve grader before winning his NRL spot back.Credit:NRL Photos
"I think everyone that has been there … I have only played one game so I cant really say I should be there but I know the type of player that I am," he said.
"I do feel like I can be back there and if its not for Game III, I definitely have to set myself that goal again to be there because its definitely a great game and a game that you always cherish.
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"You watch it as a young kid and aspire to be there one day.
"I just dont want to be that player that plays the one Origin game. I would like to get a few under the belt and be a happy, more confident player for the rest of my career."
Finding both happiness and confidence has been easier said than done for Campbell-Gillard.
An honest conversation with coach Ivan Cleary proved to be the tonic he needed after hitting rock bottom when relegated to Canterbury Cup duties last month.
"Everyone prides themselves on not getting dropped but that was the kick up the butt and wake-up call," he said.
"I took it with both hands and had a really good conversation with [Cleary].
"I probably deserved it and I was looking … it was probably at the start of the year when I should have been dropped.
I just dont want to be that player that plays the one Origin game.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard
"For it to go on so long and to go through the motions, I just wasnt happy with my football."
The root of the poor form still remains somewhat of a mystery to Campbell-Gillard, who was philosophical when asked to expand upon the conversation with Cleary.
"I asked myself so many questions. I believe things that happened to me in the past caught up. I just think thats the karma," he said.
"I feel personally it caught up and theres nothing I can do about it. Thats Read More – Source
