Chad Townsend the forgotten contender for NRL buy of the year honours

The player market frenzy has set-up a hotly contested field for ‘buy of the year’ honours, and former NRL star Mitchell Pearce is tipping a surprise contender to win the crown. See who is in the running and have your say.

The recent player market frenzy has set-up the most hotly contested field for ‘buy of the year’ honours in recent memory and Sydney Roosters great Mitchell Pearce has anointed Chad Townsend as a favourite for the crown.

Townsend joins a star-studded list of high profile recruits, including the likes of Jarome Luai, Clint Gutherson, Ben Hunt, Addin Fonua Blake and James Fisher-Harris, who have found a new home in 2025.

The former Cowboys halfback signed a one-year deal with the Roosters to add depth to Trent Robinson’s halves, and as a mentor to young playmakers Sam Walker and Sandon Smith in the wake of Luke Keary’s exit at the end of 2024.

But a long-term ACL injury to young halfback Walker, who isn’t expected back onto the field until May, has transformed Townsend ‘s role from a depth signing to Roosters general.

Roosters recruit Chad Townsend.

Tri-colours premiership winner and former Blues halfback Pearce believes Townsend’s 262 games of NRL experience will be key to keeping the Roosters’ title campaign on track while Walker is sidelined.

“He is shaping as one of the buys of the year, he’s a great pick-up” Pearce told this masthead.

“With Walker’s injury, his signing has turned into a bit of a blessing. He’s hit the ground running and gelling with the boys really well.

“His calmness and game management will be invaluable this year. Chad’s traditionally an on-ball half and plays his best when he’s controlling the game and kicking the corners. He’ll be wanting to do that right from the get-go.”

“For where the Roosters are at now, after losing someone of Keary’s experience, with that leadership he brings, it’s worked out for him and the Roosters.”

The on-field fortunes of the Wests Tigers, after three-straight wooden spoons, are also riding on the hopes of a new no.7 in Jarome Luai, who joined the Concord club on a lucrative five-year deal worth around $6 million.

Pearce believes the arrival of the four-time premiership winner at the Tigers will add the competitive edge that has been missing from Benji Marshall’s roster and will be invaluable in reshaping the club’s culture.

“I like his cockiness, he believes in himself but he delivers,” Pearce said.

“He’s won titles, Origin and knows how to win big games. Jarome will bring a hell of a lot of confidence and the Tigers need that. They’ve been crying out for that, and someone like Jarome, for a while. Losing can become contagious and Jarome only knows winning.

“The way he plays, he’ll loosen up their attack and he can be a huge x-factor for them.

“I think his swagger will rub off on everyone else.”

Since hanging up the boots in 2024, Pearce, who spent four seasons in Newcastle before a two-year stint at Catalans, has joined club greats Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend and Cooper Cronk in nurturing the Roosters’ next crop of NRL talent.

“I do a few days a week at the academy working with the younger boys. I rotate between sessions with Harold Matthews and SG Ball, and do some video reviews after the junior season games,” Pearce said.

“There’s some great young halves coming through like Jake Elliott and Toby Rodwell.

“It’s been really enjoyable.”

Originally published as Chad Townsend the forgotten contender for NRL buy of the year honours