Townsend's Special Honour

The honours keep coming for retired premiership-winning Sharks playmaker Chad Townsend. The popular ex-halfback has been made life member of his junior club, Yarrawarrah Tigers, at a function this week. Townsend played nearly 200 Cronulla junior league games over 13 seasons for the Tigers, winning seven premierships. The club has already shown how highly it rates the modest veteran, re-naming its home ground Chad Townsend Oval. Townsend is a polished media performer and looks certain to get a gig in 2026.

Two stars under the pump after Cowboys 'over achieved'

There's little doubt that the Cowboys over-achieved last season - plenty of pundits had them near the bottom of the ladder this time 12 months ago, yet they made the finals and bowed out in the second week. But having lost their three most experienced backs - Valentine Holmes, Chad Townsend and Kyle Feldt - and failing to sign any big names to replace them, life could be tougher this time around. They do still have classy fullback Scott Drinkwater, who was second in the league for try assists in 2024, and if he can stay healthy, the points will come. However it's vital that with Townsend gone, the new-look halves combination of Tom Dearden and Jake Clifford clicks. Dearden is a class act and one of the game's best pivots, but Clifford still has some inconsistencies in his game that need to be fixed. Clifford will be kept honest by Jaxon Purdue and Tom Duffy, who are both in the mix for a spot in the 17. The points won't flow as freely without the three big- name departures, but there is enough class there to worry rival defences if Drinkwater is again so lethal. Scoring wasn't really a problem for the Cowboys last season - defence was more their Achilles heel. They had the worst points differential of the teams in the finals, due mainly to some heavy defeats throughout the year. The pack has been boosted by three experienced campaigners - Karl Lawton (Sea Eagles), Kai O'Donnell (Leigh Leopards) and John Bateman (Wests Tigers). I thought Bateman had a fair year in a struggling Tigers side last season and early reports on O'Donnell are very positive. In co-captain Reuben Cotter, the Cowboys have one of the most inspirational and hard-working forwards in the NRL and he will keep the rest of the pack honest.

2025 gains: Karl Lawton (Sea Eagles), Kai O'Donnell (Leigh Leopards), Jaxson Paulo (Sea Eagles), John Bateman (Wests Tigers).

2025 losses: Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Dolphins), Chad Townsend (Roosters), Jake Granville (released), Kyle Feldt (St Helens), Valentine Holmes (Dragons), Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (retired), D'Jazirhae Pua'avase (Sea Eagles).

Maligned signing suddenly looms as Roosters saviour

One of the most successful eras in the Roosters' long history came to an end just one game short of another grand final in 2024. With star players Joseph Suaalii (rugby union), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Hull KR), Joseph Manu (rugby union), Luke Keary (Catalans) and Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs) all departing and no big names coming in at this stage, it's hard to see the Roosters coming close to emulating their third placed finish next season. The Roosters were the Harlem Globetrotters of the league this campaign, scoring a remarkable 738 points and 130 tries for an average of 30.8 points and 5.4 tries per game - well ahead of the pack. But late season injuries to two key members of their spine - brilliant half Sam Walker and hooker Brandon Smith - reduced much of their strike power and they lost two of their three finals to narrowly miss the big dance. Had they been at full strength, they may have been a threat to the Panthers and Storm - but it wasn't to be and a younger, much different looking Roosters side will have to start from scratch in 2025. The back three - James Tedesco (17 tries), Daniel Tupou (21) and Dominic Young (20) - were as good as any in the league and scored nearly half the team's tries between them. Centres Suaalii and Manu were both outstanding and their departures will leave a huge hole, with the veteran Michael Jennings unlikely to be re-signed. Walker was as dangerous as any playmaker in the NRL on his day and losing him on the eve of the finals was a cruel blow. His halves partner Luke Keary was a steady, experienced hand - as he has been for a decade in the NRL - and he will also be hard to replace in 2025. Victor Radley was a tower of strength at lock and showed his courage by playing the finals with a broken scapula.

Best signing: With so many experienced players leaving, veteran halfback Chad Townsend may find himself a key figure at the club next season.

2025 gains: Chad Townsend (Cowboys)

2025 losses: Joseph Suaalii (rugby union), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Hull KR), Joseph Manu (rugby union), Luke Keary (Catalans), Sitili Tupouniua (Bulldogs).

Roosters: 2023 finish: 7th | 2024 finish: 3rd.

Twist in feud between Cronulla premiership winners Paul Gallen and Chad Townsend

The feud between Cronulla premiership-winning stars Paul Gallen and Chad Townsend is over. After over a week of unsavoury headlines about how the pair had fallen out since the Sharks' memorable 2016 grand final triumph, Townsend reached out to his former teammate and the pair are friends once again. "Gal and I have spoken on the phone and everything is fine," Townsend told Wide World of Sports. "I'm looking forward to seeing him and the rest of my 2016 teammates for our reunion in the near future." Townsend even put a photo of their pair hugging at Accor Stadium after the grand final triumph over the Storm on his social media with the caption "Brothers for life!!!". But, as always happens on Twitter - now X - the haters quickly jumped on and attacked. "Bullshit…," one tweeter declared to Townsend followed by some choice words. "It's too late to suck up now."