The direction is clear under new coach Todd Payten, as the North Queensland Cowboys sign Chad Townsend on a three-year deal.
Townsend, currently at the Cronulla Sharks, is a premiership winner and the Cowboys will be hopeful he is their missing piece in the halves.
Playing in over 182 NRL games with the Sharks and the New Zealand Warriors, it was his professionalism as a player that convinced the club to sign him.
“Chad is a premiership winner on the field and proven professional off it,” Cowboys Head of Football Micheal Luck said.
“The level of professionalism he brings off the field is what we were most impressed with when doing our research on Chad and we look forward to him mentoring our young playing group upon his arrival in 2022.”
After losing Michael Morgan to retirement, the Cowboys had to act and have done so, with Payten praising Chad’s playing attributes.
“We have made no secret of our intentions to secure a senior half after we lost our captain Michael Morgan to retirement,” Payten said.
“We were looking for a composed organising halfback who can steer the team around the park and I believe we have found that in Chad.
“He is a gifted kicker of the football, tackles well and is a strong voice on the field, which were three areas we highlighted when entering the market for a half.”