Townsend joining Cowboys on three-year deal: reports

Souths should have already made that offer. That's what happens when you let accountants handle the recruiting and retention for football sides. All they see is the balance sheet not the bottom line.

"Chad is not the right one" You got that right jimmmy. The salary cap money the Cowboys will save on Morgan, McGuire and Clifford they should throw at Sam Walker on a 4-year contract. Much better than investing in a 30-year-old Halfback who will never play in a Grand Final again.

Townsend is a defensive liability. That won't change with a new club that has the second-worst defensive record in the NRL despite sitting 13th on the ladder. Todd Payten has his work cut out for him.

The loss of Kikau was because Gould identified him as a star and did what it took to get him, Brandon Smith was a little unruly and had some discipline issues like like Segaero and GGM. Ponga wanted his opportunity and promises made to him about when that would happen were reneged on when Thurston got an extension for one year? The Cowboys and JT wanted to beat John’s points record. Absolute short sighted because it meant many of the older players were kept to keep the dream alive. Tuala left with Ponga and joined former Townsville boy Shibasaki at the Knights. Clifford is that age group.

There have been far too many allowed to slip away, I realise we can't keep them all but the lack of talent spotting and keeping past their use by date players is killing the club.

Clifford signed when Green was coaching. At that time Morgan was seen as the 7 and chief playmaker with Clifford running at 2nd receiver and second choice kicker. The Knights came knocking and he probably saw Ponga, Tuala were getting a go with Pearce finishing up. Why did Thurston join the Cowboys and why did Ponga leave? Opportunity is a primary reason for young players. Kikau was the same.

You interpret a comment how you want to read it. Have you ever heard of a movie “Money Ball”. Do you think Cronk, Lockyer, Morgan and to an extent Coote may have helped Thurston along with a strong defender inside and outside him? The Cowboys spent years trying to find a half that could work and complement Thurston. Morgan averaged over 320m in the semi finals in 2017 and then he was carrying a groin injury in early 2018 before missing the backend of the year suffering concussions related issues I think. JT averaged 170m in 2018 and the Cowboys finished? I have often said people like watching the game differently. I think I can see what Payten has identified as a requirement he needs starting next year that the current line up doesn’t have. A leader and experienced kicker in the halves. I don’t think Townsend is a dumb buy. I think Dearness or Drinkwater could be a part of a complementing halves plan. Prince and Benji, Cronk and Keary, Cleary and Luai. Townsend won’t be first choice goal kicker so that’s one thing less for him to concentrate on while working more on his defence which has suffered since taking the goal kicking role.

This is not the best of ideas, how have they managed to lose Clifford and are there good enough hairdressers in Towmsville.

Did you just try to say Townsend is better than JT?

How successful was JT at 7 for the Cowboys? 53.74% one top 4 finish and a Premiership. How successful has Townsend been? Chad’s at 55.32% 2 top 4 and a Premiership.

Nah Bunnies don’t want him.Probably move to another Sydney club.Possibly Chooks -they have a habit of picking up South’s discards

Whilst I agree Townsend is not high on the list of defence he is leading the competition in Kick metres and the Thurston cheer leading TA stat. If you’re going to finish in the top 6 I can almost guarantee you your half has to have a very strong kicking game. Cronk, Cleary, Reynolds even Soward prove that is a vital ingredient. Thurston never finished in the top 12 for kick metres and the Cowboys only finished once in the top 4 during his time at 7? The Cowboys had their moment of success when Morgan and Coote substituted the kicking issue the Cowboys always had at 7. Clifford was the bloke who could have done the job but unfortunately he was given half the job with Morgan and Drinkwater dominating most games. Interestingly the best game Clifford played was with Asiata against the Roosters and he controlled the kicking game? I’m not sure he ever felt confident enough to dominate the kicking game playing with Thurston or Morgan? Drinkwater is kick happy and just like other parts of his game high risk and inconsistent. Hampton is doing a job but he certainly isn’t a top 6 rating kicking half. Anyway Todd has identified a glaring issue that the departure of Morgan, Clifford, Hampton won’t be able to do going forward. Drinkwater strength is his running game and you don’t want to make him do a Milford.

He’s a decent and much underrated player but a three year deal on that money? A strange signing for a team that has such a high expectation on halves. Thurston and Morgan are enormous shoes to fill and I’m not sure Chad’s feet are quite that big.

Jackson Hastings? Too late now.

Nah, Reynolds will stay at Redfern.

Sharks 10-12 loss against the Raiders was purely because of Townsend missing some pretty easy kicks. The Sharks against the Roosters, Townsend missed the tackle on Sam Walker for the roosters to take the lead and win. Townsend's poor kicking and poor defending has probably cost the Sharks at least 4 points, I can see why he's probably happy to move the north Qld.

I believe they have a couple of good junior prospects coming but I think they are also looking for direction and a professional attitude to impart on those boys. Morgan’s injury has really required a senior purchase I guess. How long was Maloney with Cleary? Maybe Payten has identified the kicking game and wants Dearness to have a senior partner guiding the ship until he can take over and the juniors are pushing for a start? Maybe Townsend can see a good opportunity to finish his career and likes the plans pitched to him. I personally wouldn’t buy any NSW player over 30 for 3 years and never on more than $500k a year. I’ll have to trust Todd on this one as I’m guessing it’s a 2 player halves purchase that he believes complements the team going forward.

Sharks should just let chad go and instead of signing Reynolds sign Widdop

Another?

I agree , we won't get an established star unless we pay overs and they are just looking out for their Super fund. Do you remember how we got JT? The Dogs had a star half in Sherwin and a fairly untried up and comer in JT. The Dogs chose to keep Shifty and the rest is history. The Dogs have now managed to get Burton . Hes the most talented young half in the comp. And he goes to the hopeless Dogs.?? Best recruiting move in the last 10 years imo. You see what I mean. ? You just have to wait for the right one. Chad is not the right one.