- Home
- 'Leave...
'Leave him alone': Joey baffled by Roosters signing
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.
READ MORE:Shattered Kokkinakis forced to retire mid match
READ MORE:Eels rookie 'embarrasses' Eels teammates
READ MORE:'Beyond disgusted' star sent awful letter after logo saga
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.
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.
Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and9Now.
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.
"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.
- https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/other/leave-him-alone-joey-baffled-by-roosters-signing/ar-BB1pqtNh?ocid=00000000
Related
Mason Greenwood on the brink of permanent Manchester United exit
Mason Greenwood on the brink of permanent Manchester United exit - The 22-year-old spent the majority of last season on loan at Getafe in Spain
Sport‘Special place’ renamed after Socceroos coach
A “special place” in Graham Arnold’s heart will now hold more significance for the Socceroos coach.
Sport‘Pretty sore’: Huge Demons injury blow
It’s only Monday but the Melbourne captain isn’t confident of being able to play on Saturday in a match that could shape his team’s finals fortunes.
SportSwans to fight Heeney ban as Brownlow winner calls for change
Isaac Heeney will face a nervous wait ahead of the AFL Tribunal after being suspended for one week for striking St Kilda’s Jimmy Webster.
SportSlater explains Maroons axing, Fifita absence
Billy Slater has explained why he ignored calls to include destructive forward David Fifita in a Maroons back-row where a change was made.
SportScott Robertson calls for game to be ‘sped up’ as go-slow England cause delays
England found ways to slow the All Blacks down in the Test at Dunedin on Saturday.
SportPiastri dudded victory shot by team's 'painful' decision
Oscar Piastri was dudded of a shot at a maiden F1 victory by a strategy error from his McLaren team at the British Grand Prix.
SportStar snubbed again amid mass Maroons changes
It only took one match back from injury for Kalyn Ponga to earn a Queensland recall, but coach Billy Slater held firm on not picking one star.
Sport