North Queensland co-captain Chad Townsend insists he isn’t going anywhere amid speculation of an early release from his three-year contract.
The 32-year-old playmaker is signed through until the end of next season and has played in every single game since moving from Cronulla via the Warriors at the end of 2021.
He signed a mega-deal to partner with Tom Dearden in the halves and was brought in to impart valuable premiership-winning experience on the Cowboys’ young group.
A 232-game NRL veteran, Townsend shot down rumours of a potential move on Tuesday amid speculation the Cowboys would sign Luke Brooks in a swap deal which would send their playmaker to the Wests Tigers.
“It’s a little bit frustrating when you can see a journalist throw a hand grenade on a news program in prime time and create a bit of a mess,” he said. “My future is here in North Queensland. I’m contracted here at the moment and next season.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“I’m very happy. My family is very settled. It’s a hand grenade, it means nothing and I don’t really want to talk about it again to be honest.”
The Cowboys, fresh off their first bye of the season, will have both their halves for a State of Origin-affected showdown at home with ladder-leading Penrith on Friday.
Dearden has been replaced as 18th man for Queensland by Gold Coast’s AJ Brimson, which is a massive boost for a Cowboys side already without Maroons representatives Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi, Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai.
Hooker Reece Robson has earned a maiden berth for Brad Fittler’s NSW side, with five Panthers players in the 19-man Blues squad.
Utility Jake Granville is expected to cover the hooking role against Ivan Cleary’s side at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Brooks is set to leave Wests Tigers with his teammates’ blessing and their understanding that a fresh start could do the beleaguered playmaker a world of good.
Without a deal beyond 2023, the 28-year-old knocked back the Tigers’ proposed contract extension over the weekend, though the club remains hopeful he could be tempted by a revised offer.
As it stands, the mooted switch means the joint venture’s fifth-most capped player will not be at the club to usher in a new era under Benji Marshall from 2025.
It also leaves the Tigers in desperate need of a playmaker for next season, with Adam Doueihi expected to miss the majority of 2024 through injury and back-up half Brandon Wakeham uncontracted beyond this year.
“That’s business,” said second-rower Isaiah Papali’i. “He’s got his own things to look after and that’s making a decision to reject the offer and go somewhere else. I can’t really hold him back. I’m supportive of him either way.”
The move is set to end an 11-year stint at the Tigers that has left Brooks on the receiving end of repeated criticism from fans and the media.
Luke Brooks. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The Tigers have not finished in the top eight in any season of Brooks’ career, making the halfback the most-capped active NRL player without a finals appearance.
There has long been speculation a change of scenery could allow Brooks, the 2018 Dally M Halfback of the Year, to fulfil his potential.
Brooks attracted interest from Newcastle last season, while Canberra also has the wherewithal to sign an established playmaker as they prepare to farewell five-eighth Jack Wighton at season’s end.
Brooks appears unlikely to relocate his young family to the English Super League.
© AAP
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