Chad Townsend - One year deal Report

[HunchoRooster]

You think he will be starting ahead of Sammy? Your dreaming. He's $280-300K contract value indicates he is a depth signing.

No one will be handed anything next year so Sandon will have to work for the 5/8 spot, which I believe he will earn/win and when has depth never been a good thing? It creates competition for spots and brings out the best in players by not allowing Sandon to get too comfortable, look at Crichton atm. Had we not of recruited someone like Chad please explain what we would've done if Walker went down?

His experience will be great for Sammy & Sandon. Brings something different to what Kez & Cooper would've been telling them both the last few years too.

Smart signing imo.

Now we need to sign up some centres.

Definitely didn’t think he would start in front of Sam, rather that Sam would shift to 5/8 and Sandon would miss out.

I’ve got slightly more of an optimistic view after hearing Robbo talk about it on SEN. If CT is there purely for depth and nothing else, then great. Not many clubs can call on a near 300 game halfback as cover. However, if anything were to happen to Sam next year I don’t think CT would lead us to a comp.

I do wonder though given Robbo spoke about getting a mature head around the halves why we couldn’t keep Keary on for another year in a limited playing capacity? Have Sandon start ahead of him but have Keary in the squad as cover as opposed to an outsider of lesser value like Townsend. Also, Cronk is still our halves coach so it surprises me that the club want yet another voice in there to help Sam and Sandon. Sounds like they have plenty of support already.

100% agree around centres. A boom centre is required for at worst 2026, but next year would be even better. Mark N is a winger. You’d assume Toops last year is next year so we’d move Mark N there and bring in someone like Herbie or Staggs.

[Steakface]

I think the other thing that is a factor here, is what Townsend has between the ears.

He has a podcast/vlog, and if you'll take some time to get into that it is clear that as far as maturity, thoughtfulness and intellect goes, Chad Townsend is light years ahead of most NRL players.

Aside from the experience of being in the NRL for a long time and winning a comp, I think this is the overriding factor.

I see it as a benefit to us in terms of leadership and culture.

Welcome Chad.

This is a good signing.

[Qld Chook]

Definitely didn’t think he would start in front of Sam, rather that Sam would shift to 5/8 and Sandon would miss out.

I’ve got slightly more of an optimistic view after hearing Robbo talk about it on SEN. If CT is there purely for depth and nothing else, then great. Not many clubs can call on a near 300 game halfback as cover. However, if anything were to happen to Sam next year I don’t think CT would lead us to a comp.

I do wonder though given Robbo spoke about getting a mature head around the halves why we couldn’t keep Keary on for another year in a limited playing capacity? Have Sandon start ahead of him but have Keary in the squad as cover as opposed to an outsider of lesser value like Townsend. Also, Cronk is still our halves coach so it surprises me that the club want yet another voice in there to help Sam and Sandon. Sounds like they have plenty of support already.

100% agree around centres. A boom centre is required for at worst 2026, but next year would be even better. Mark N is a winger. You’d assume Toops last year is next year so we’d move Mark N there and bring in someone like Herbie or Staggs.

The club have come to the realisation Sammy is an out and out 7. They have given him the keys and full control.

Having a voice like Cronk on the training field is one thing, you also need an experienced head in a game capacity when injuries strike. I'm not convinced CT can necessarily lead us to a comp either, but I don't think many back up halfbacks are capable of that. At least he has premiership credentials. I think Keary couldn't see himself getting through another pre season. For a small body he has done incredibly well to play his style for as long as he has. I'd prefer someone who is all in (pre season, training & playing), Chad fits that.

Centre is a hard one, cause we a desperate for 1 if not 2 quality players to fit in there and there isnt much out there. Think we missed some opportunities with Lomax & Douhei, hopefully something is happening the background we don't know about.

[King Salvo]

I wonder if Chad is any relation to Greg Townsend a rather Skinny Fullback who played for the Roosters in the mid to late 1970's - He was skinnier than Todd Byrne

[Easts75]

I wonder if Chad is any relation to Greg Townsend a rather Skinny Fullback who played for the Roosters in the mid to late 1970's - He was skinnier than Todd Byrne

I've tried to forget that name Todd Byrne

[ConGa]

Don't mind it, Sam & Sandon are very young halves and will need an older head to guide and partnering them on a dime if required

[ARD]

Toby Rodwell extended today with the Roosters until 2028!

Well done Easts!

Didn’t see this… good news; thanks for sharing

[HunchoRooster]

The club have come to the realisation Sammy is an out and out 7. They have given him the keys and full control.

Having a voice like Cronk on the training field is one thing, you also need an experienced head in a game capacity when injuries strike. I'm not convinced CT can necessarily lead us to a comp either, but I don't think many back up halfbacks are capable of that. At least he has premiership credentials. I think Keary couldn't see himself getting through another pre season. For a small body he has done incredibly well to play his style for as long as he has. I'd prefer someone who is all in (pre season, training & playing), Chad fits that.

Centre is a hard one, cause we a desperate for 1 if not 2 quality players to fit in there and there isnt much out there. Think we missed some opportunities with Lomax & Douhei, hopefully something is happening the background we don't know about.

Fair play, agree mostly regarding Chad T.

However Keary is going to ESL next season isn’t he? So I’d assume he will be doing another pre season and going around again. Just seems odd as we’ve obviously moved him on, only thing I can think of is that he would’ve been on too much from his previously signed contract to sit around in ressies as a back up/mentor.

[Waylander]

I can appreciate the signing, but it’s the “experience” comments that I question a little, yes he has played plenty of NRL, but what experience are we hoping to pass on?

Is he a clutch player when the game is on the line?
does he have a calming effect on the team?
Is he a leader?

he may be, but for some reason it doesn’t come through when I’m watching him. I’ll keep a closer eye on him in the cowboys games from now on.

Walker plays best when he is free and spontaneous, we don’t want Townsend to reel that in, we need him to complement him. As someone mentioned earlier, isn’t Cronk s role to mentor the halves?

im taking the Townsend signing as though he will be our starting halfback, and Walker 5/8.

The Cowboys have certainly valued his input if you can believe what they have said about him since the announcement:

Townsend has appeared in 65 games in his three seasons in North Queensland, leading the club to a Preliminary Final in his maiden campaign in 2022.

“In 2021 we identified we needed an experienced half who could come in and lead what was then a young and relatively inexperienced roster,” Cowboys General Manager of Football Micheal Luck said.

“Chad’s contribution to our club has been immense over his three seasons in North Queensland. He has provided a stabilising presence on the field as well as being an invaluable mentor for our players.

“We wish him, Marissa and their family the very best for their return home to NSW.”

[The Lip]

Fair play, agree mostly regarding Chad T.

However Keary is going to ESL next season isn’t he? So I’d assume he will be doing another pre season and going around again. Just seems odd as we’ve obviously moved him on, only thing I can think of is that he would’ve been on too much from his previously signed contract to sit around in ressies as a back up/mentor.

Maybe Luke is getting paid upwards of 600k in ESL and the Roosters or himself didn't want to deprive him of that.

[eddie]

Had I posted on this when it was breaking news I would've been dead against the move.
But, having heard Robbo explain the situation I see the value.
Nothing wrong with signing a reserve grade halfback.

[Headless Chook]

Wonder if he might be a future assistant coach at the Chooks and that's the reason he has come on board. Robbo has a pretty decent track record for nuturing coaches and the ex half backs (journeyman type halves like Holbrook anmd Paul Green) tend to make good coaches

[zac]

he's no cooper cronk but i'm happy with this

[Thirteen]

He does some good videos on YouTube. I haven’t watched for a while but I use to watch sometimes with my kids. Seems like a good bloke.

[Qld Chook]

Fair play, agree mostly regarding Chad T.

However Keary is going to ESL next season isn’t he? So I’d assume he will be doing another pre season and going around again. Just seems odd as we’ve obviously moved him on, only thing I can think of is that he would’ve been on too much from his previously signed contract to sit around in ressies as a back up/mentor.

He definitely hasn't been moved on. I think the club would've been more than happy for him to play on, the ESL rumour was a media beat up that everyone ran with.