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.
langparker
Roar Rookie
The only thing that makes sense of brooks to NQ is him getting to work with JT as a halves mentor. From what I see they’re pumping games into Jake Duffy in the Q-Cup to get the experience running a team & he’s been pretty good for a young kid. Has played junior Qld rep footy so he not a scrubber. Kicks goals as well so that’s a bonus. If they swap a 32 year old Townsend for 28 year old Brooks they likely lose a prospective 10 year player in the halves. Nothing guaranteed but you’ve got to trust your talent identification & development guys at some point.
wilbas
Roar Rookie
Back when tigers were negotiating the ''big four''they kept the wrong man.Brooks defense was worse then Moses and Moses was very willing on his own line but was a pup who needed more weight. They lost Tedesco who wanted to experience a premiership win...Woods as well who was a form prop at the time.Moses is the one they should have kept. They believed they could build around Brooks and he was paid more then he has earned.He had great potential but lacked one aspect which is the first principle of a ball player...run is the default. You can show-pass-kick...but when all of those are not on you have to tuck the ball under and run..Brooks has enormous speed but has lacked the will to take on the line and surrenders too easily if someone gets a piece of him. That has been the major complaint from tiger supporters.10 seasons playing in a tuxedo...We want him to get down and dirty and show some mongrel.I want him to take the ball to the line for the first tackle of the game and let the opposition know he will run.You are not working over a defense if they know you are going to turn the runner under or play the block play.I want him to test the defense ala Moses or Thurston..His low center of balance and speed should allow him to break defenses.We have not seen it at all through the years and this year he rises for a coupla games that shows he can do these things.I believe 1 million is more then enough and if he thinks he is playing the tigers for more money then 150k should drop from the next offer.
Abbot
Roar Rookie
So Tigers want to lose a 28 year old halfback and gain a 32 year old replacement…. Seems very logical by Tigers standards :laughing: :crying: