Chad Townsend’s move to the Sydney Roosters has raised plenty of eyebrows and one of those who was “really surprised” by the signing is Andrew Johns.
The club confirmed this week that Townsend would head to Bondi in 2025 on a one-year deal, likely acting as back-up to young guns Sam Walker and Sandon Smith.
Townsend is a premiership-winning playmaker with plenty of NRL experience, but is next to no chance of usurping Walker in the No.7 jumper at full-strength.
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Smith on the other hand is a talented utility who came through the juniors as a half and is expected to take over the five-eighth spot from Luke Keary next year.
Luke Keary will leave the Roosters at the end of 2024. Getty
Townsend’s impending arrival has divided opinions in the rugby league world, but according to Johns, the idea that the 33-year-old is heading to the Tricolours to “mentor” the in-form Walker is a strange one.
“I was really surprised,” he said on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour.
“I’ve heard them talk about that he’s going to mentor Sam Walker and Sandon Smith.
“Sam Walker doesn’t need mentoring. He needs the other way, just leave him alone and let him play. He’s a free spirit, you can not put too much information in Sam’s head.
“Sandon Smith might be different – I don’t know Sandon, I don’t know what makes him tick – but already at the club you’ve got Cooper Cronk and Mitchell Pearce.
“I was really surprised, but I suppose it gives you back-up.”
Townsend is expected to earn around $300,000 at the Chooks next season after three years at the Cowboys on a much larger contract.
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Johns pointed out the new-look Roosters attack will be another downfall in Townsend’s bid to play first grade when he arrives at the club for the 2025 campaign.
Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend. Getty
“He’s playing reserve grade, he’s not playing first grade if they are all fit,” Johns said.
“Sam Walker is an on-ball halfback, he’s like an old-fashioned halfback. They have changed the way they play. Victor Radley used to be like the halfback but he’s moved to the edge and got Naufahu Whyte in the middle, he’s just a runner.
“Sam needs a running five-eighth … Chad Townsend couldn’t play five-eighth outside Sam Walker. I was really surprised, it really came from left-field.
“It’s a bit of back-up for Sam, but I couldn’t see them playing together.”
Walker’s own contract situation continues to be a hot topic as well, with the 22-year-old set to hit the open market in November if the Roosters fail to re-sign him.
Brisbane have been earmarked as a potential landing spot for Walker should he opt to leave the Chooks, especially given the likely retirement of Adam Reynolds next year.