A MAJOR PIECE OF THE PUZZLE
HE will be a crucial cog if the Cowboys are to regain their success on the field, but Chad Townsend is far from feeling that pressure.
The premiership-winning halfback was the club’s marquee off-season recruit as North Queensland attempts to rebuild following four straight years in the NRL bottom four.
In his first interview since arriving at the Cowboys, Townsend has detailed why he decided to uproot his young family of wife Marissa and kids, Myra, Cairo and Mia from Sydney’s southern suburbs to move halfway across the country and what he wants to introduce to the Cowboys’ culture to make the organisation successful again.
Cowboys head of football Micheal Luck was adamant the club’s success wouldn’t solely rest on the 30-year-old’s shoulders but he was “a major piece of the puzzle in terms of our improvement.”
Townsend has already proved he will bring change to the club, making an early impression despite still being a month away from when he was due back for pre-season.
GETTING TO WORK
The halfback has quickly reconnected with former premiership winning teammate Valentine Holmes and prospective halves partner Scott Drinkwater since his arrival in North Queensland.
The trio have become almost inseparable in the past fortnight, hitting the weights together at the Cowboys high performance facility.
But they weren’t the only familiar faces hanging around the iron. Townsend caught up with teammate Kyle Feldt only moments before he sat down with the Bulletin.
“As soon as I signed I had been speaking back and forth with Val for months about it. I have been in Townsville for two weeks and I have pretty much seen Val and Drinky every day,” he said.
“We have been training pretty much every morning together, running and lifting weights. Afterwards we go for a coffee together. We have some breakfast and chat about football.
“Drinky and I sat up the other day and watched some video and talked footy. We talked about how he likes to play and how I like to play. Trying to put time into the relationship and build it.
“That is the mentality you have to have. As a professional athlete you want to get better. Whether that is watching video in the middle of our off
season or getting in the gym. I just saw Kyle Feldt about to lift weights and that to me speaks volumes of the type of person he is and that he wants to get better. Why not share that attitude?”
NO DAYS OFF
It is part of a mentality Townsend wants to bring to the club.
An avid lover of American professional sports, the halfback has picked up many lessons from watching and reading about the work behind the scenes in the US.
One thing that has stuck with him, and that he wants to pass on to the next generation of NRL players is that it isn’t like any other full-time job.
“Those guys over there are on another level but they are professional sportsmen 24/7 and they live and breathe basketball,” Townsend said.
“That is a great thing for us to embed into our culture here at the Cowboys. You are a professional athlete 24/7 and you have to get better every minute of every day.
“You don’t just come in here and you’re an NRL player for eight hours, you are an NRL player 24/7.”
WHY HE’S OUR GUY
It was Townsend’s commitment to improving himself and his craft that made the Cowboys take notice of the offcontract halfback.
While he is a proven game winner on the field, it was the reports about his workrate off the field that Luck believed was something that the Cowboys have lacked in recent years.
“I think when we were looking for who was going to be our replacement and senior halfback, there was a number of things we were looking for but that was a key element; a guy who understood the game and understood his game,” Luck said.
“We wanted someone who understood his strengths and weaknesses and what he brings to a team. What he can add to other guys around him. That comes with experience and he is a guy who has been around a long time and has played and won some very big games. He knows what separates success from failure.
“We need him to play his part and absolutely do everything a first grade halfback should be doing but also his presence will give the guys around him a sense of calmness and direction.
“We have matchwinners in Drinkwater, Holmes and Hamiso (Tabuai-fidow) and Chad’s addition into the roster will allow them to focus on what they do best and play to their strengths rather than having to lead the team around.”
WALK THE WALK
Townsend is a natural leader and he has proven that over his career.
The opportunity to impart what he has learnt over 12 years and 192 games in the NRL on the Cowboys young brigade was a key drawcard to getting the halfback to Townsville.
But he was adamant that did not mean he would instantly take over the squad.
“I just want to go out and do my job. I want to build connections and earn the boys’ respect,” he said.
“I am new here. I am not going to be walking around like I own the joint. I will be working my butt off trying to gain their respect and learn what it means to be a Cowboy and embrace the culture.
“I enjoy the leadership side of football and I enjoy helping young guys go through challenges and adversity. I have been there and seen it all, I am heading into my 12th year in the NRL. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t know how to bounce back from challenges, adversity and setbacks.”
KEEPING THE HOUSE IN ORDER
Townsend’s arrival in North Queensland also brings his first chance to settle after a season in which the competition had to be completely uprooted and moved to the Sunshine State.
The halfback and his wife Marissa also welcomed their third child, Mia, into the world during that tumultuous period.
Townsend has settled the family in a rental in leafy Idalia, but said he was keeping his eyes peeled for something more permanent. With three years on his deal at the Cowboys, it has given the halfback stability for both himself and his family.
“(Idalia) is a great little suburb and quite close to training and the city. We would like to live a little bit closer and we have a short-term lease there to keep our options open,” he said.
“At the moment I am really enjoying what Townsville has to offer. We have been here for nearly two weeks and really enjoying it.
“For it is more about the comfort of my family. That is the number one thing.
“Buying a property, you want to do your due diligence. For us it was about getting a short-term lease and working out what areas we would like to buy in or just lease.
“My eldest (Myra) is three years old and she will be starting preschool or prep over the next couple of years and that is exciting. For my kids to grow up here and experience living in Townsville, I am excited for that as well.”