Following my list of the NRL’s worst career moves, I decided it was time to take a more positive approach to my writing.
The following list is compiled of five players who skyrocketed their careers by moving clubs.
5. Martin Taupau to the Wests Tigers (2014)
After an injury-ravaged start to his career at the Bulldogs, Taupau sought after fresh waters for the 2014 season. The Tigers were the lucky team to secure his signature, and allow him to establish his dominance over the next two years.
Taupau, or ‘Kapow’ as he is better known, turned himself into one of the most feared players in the competition, and at the end of 2015, signed a lucrative deal with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
If he had stayed at the Belmore-based club, he may have never got the chance to shine.
4. Chad Townsend to the Cronulla Sharks (2016)
I made the mistake of being too harsh on Trent Hodkinson in the previous list, I now acknowledge that he has only spent a season with Newcastle, and his career is not dead. However I’m going to make the same mistake here with Townsend.
Stuck behind Shaun Johnson’s shadow at the Warriors, Townsend’s move to the shire gave him a chance to stand out, and stand out he has.
Cronulla look set to make a strong run to their maiden premiership, and it will be off the back of Townsend’s stellar form, along with their other superstars of course.
3. Blake Austin to the Canberra Raiders (2015)
Moving from Penrith to the Wests Tigers got him noticed, but his form since arriving in the nation’s capital is the reason his move to the Raiders has him on this list.
He had a big push for Origin the last two years, and has the footwork and ball skills to succeed on the big stage.
Ricky Stuart was willing to risk it on Blake and the risk is paying off.
2. Nathan Peats to the Parramatta Eels (2014)
Issac Luke was killing it at South Sydney, and little old Nathan Peats was forced to watch to superstar hooker go about his business.
A move to Parramatta is just what Peats needed, as he developed himself into one of the best dummy halves in the competition.
If not for salary cap dramas forcing him out of the club, he would still be tearing it up in blue and gold. Well Eels blue and gold, not Titans blue and gold.
1. Johnathan Thurston to the North Queensland Cowboys (2005)
Are you surprised? Didn’t think so. The famous JT moved away from the Bulldogs after being told he was too small, and made his way to the Cowboys. He played in a grand final in his first season there and you knew he was destined for something great.
Now, 11 years after his transfer, he is regarded as the best modern day rugby league player, and a future immortal.
There’s no doubting the Doggies messed up big time with this one, with Thurston in their team I don’t doubt that they could’ve won the finals in both 2012 and 2014.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
If there was ever a testament required to the success of the New Zealand Warriors, we might have seen it this last weekend passed.…
If people can lose their job, and clubs can face massive payouts, due to the behaviour of coaches, it will drastically change the way sporting teams in Australia will be run.
Many rugby league aficionados like Matthew Johns are saying this NRL season is the best year there’s been. Comparing seasons throughout the years is…
New coach Michael Maguire is considering as many as 50 players for the State of Origin series opener with not even captain James Tedesco…
All the team list information for Round 9.
NRL signings, contracts and rosters for the 2024 season and beyond.
