Chad Townsend

[ism22]

Great post.

Agreed... I don't get the hate & people writing him off before he's even played a game. Also, Walker's returning (and on $$$) so you physically cannot recruit a similar value half on top of hin (which would realistically be one of an elite few including Cleary, Hughes, DCE, Reynolds and maybe a few others... none of whom are on the market BTW... Hunt... yeah nah... and he's stated publicly that we almost got him & couldn't have made a better pitch so that one's moot anyway).

He's showing a lot of positivity on his poddie and is IMO a solid stop-gap solution in a world where most teams don't even have a Walker-esque half returning mid-season... let alone a premiership winning half as a mentor/stop-gap.

To me his poddie content says it all. The bloke's probably jizzing himself at a chance to play firsts and prove he's still got it. As a fan I back him 100% and will never write-off our boys. IMO having a solid pre-season with Robbo may be exactly what's needed for him to regain form/consistency. If he does then he'll know it that as FE he could still partner Walker to a 2nd premiership in 2025. Don't farkin write it off if yer a fan IMO..

[Vasco]

Chad put on 19 try assists in 20 games last year- 7th in the NRL. Its worth a look at who was below and above him: https://www.nrl.com/stats/players/?c...n=2024&stat=35

With Sam Walker out its not the right time to blood a young half next to Sandon Smith. Love him or hate him the fact is his professionalism, experience, organising skills and kicking game will be heavily relied on.

You can follow him on his YouTube channel- he responds to all questions and is open sharing his daily life as a Rooster. Seems a genuine nice guy and devoted family man.

Great post.

[Inflictor]

I get that he came cheap. But we did sign him before Sammy's injury so I would think nobody expected him to play as much as he is going to play. He was supposed to be more a mentor than a permanent player.
It isn't 2000. He is way past his best of his 250 games.
He probably went a year too long last year now he is going to play half a season for us.
I hope he kills it but I wouldn't put my last $10 on it that he is going to have an impact.
Just because a player puts on a RWB jersey doesn't turn him into superman. But everyone will support him and hopes he can play a part in us keeping up with the top 8 before Sammy and Smith get back.

FM there are some primadonnas in here.

FFS

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

Yup. This is what I keep thinking myself. There's a lot more references to him being a premiership winner, (which was 9 years ago in a completely different comp) than to him being dropped halfway through the most recent season by a team with a lower profile than the Roosters have.

He is a solid hand but his defence is ordinary and at 34, it won't improve. I think there is an element of romanticism about this signing from the Chookpen and likely Robbo himself knowing how he operates. Would love to be horribly wrong and watch him carve up as I have no problems with him, solid career FGer and seemingly a nice and articulated bloke going off his social media.

We get it. You've written him off as a dud. No real need to say it 50 more times.

[HunchoRooster]

Sorry ya’ll I’m not sharing the same excitement. He’s a dud.

Jake effin Clifford outed him from FG last season, let’s not forget this.

It’s good to know that’s he’s a family man

Yup. This is what I keep thinking myself. There's a lot more references to him being a premiership winner, (which was 9 years ago in a completely different comp) than to him being dropped halfway through the most recent season by a team with a lower profile than the Roosters have.

He is a solid hand but his defence is ordinary and at 34, it won't improve. I think there is an element of romanticism about this signing from the Chookpen and likely Robbo himself knowing how he operates. Would love to be horribly wrong and watch him carve up as I have no problems with him, solid career FGer and seemingly a nice and articulated bloke going off his social media.

[HunchoRooster]

I'll say one thing positive about Chad.

He is a major upgrade on our most recent halves depth signings. He is superior to Brock Lamb, Mitch Cornish, Drew Hutchison and co.

[ChookMaster]

Sorry ya’ll I’m not sharing the same excitement. He’s a dud.

Jake effin Clifford outed him from FG last season, let’s not forget this.

It’s good to know that’s he’s a family man

[Chook2]

Townsend was a very star buy by the club
$300k for someone with over 250 nrl games, was in origin wider squad two seasons ago
doesn’t matter if he isn’t playing first grade as he will help develop the younger guys as he isn’t on big money
but with walker out for half the season and unknown with Sandon he will play a lot of first grade

[Random Rooster]

Aside from being an accomplished premiership winning player, Chad is a likeable hombre and a good club man.
You need someone like him around your younger chaps and four walls.

Based on his v-logs, he's very popular and respected amongst the squad. Intelligent and good for our brand.

As a supporter, i'm stoked to have him as one of our keels.

Yes i agree. I think there have been quite a few more naturally talented halves who haven't achieved the success he has because they never had his diligence and work ethic

[theGman]

Aside from being an accomplished premiership winning player, Chad is a likeable hombre and a good club man.
You need someone like him around your younger chaps and four walls.

Based on his v-logs, he's very popular and respected amongst the squad. Intelligent and good for our brand.

As a supporter, i'm stoked to have him as one of our keels.

[Random Rooster]

Chad put on 19 try assists in 20 games last year- 7th in the NRL. Its worth a look at who was below and above him: https://www.nrl.com/stats/players/?c...n=2024&stat=35

With Sam Walker out its not the right time to blood a young half next to Sandon Smith. Love him or hate him the fact is his professionalism, experience, organising skills and kicking game will be heavily relied on.

You can follow him on his YouTube channel- he responds to all questions and is open sharing his daily life as a Rooster. Seems a genuine nice guy and devoted family man.

[Rooster_6]

The Chad Townsend signing reminds me a lot of the Michael Gordon signing. Think he could have a similar impact where he comes in provides some experience and professionalism in what is a bit of a transitional season for us.

[Bates]

Townsend has won a comp so he definitely has something to contribute and at $300k he is a bargain.

Maloney/Townsend was surprisingly a good combination.

Gee that James Maloney was a great player!

[Vasco]

Apologies. I don't mean bang average as an insult. I mean he is run of the mill halfback that does his job (most of the time). Accordingly, he has carved out a long career in the NRL.He is bang average in comparison to the top halves in the comp and has never set the world alight. So he won't set the world alight at 34 with us.

No but he will provide stability and experience at a time when we need it.

[HunchoRooster]

You don't play 262 NRL Games if you're supposedly "bang average" though.

Apologies. I don't mean bang average as an insult. I mean he is run of the mill halfback that does his job (most of the time). Accordingly, he has carved out a long career in the NRL.He is bang average in comparison to the top halves in the comp and has never set the world alight. So he won't set the world alight at 34 with us.