Todd Payten chose to sign Chad Townsend even though North Queensland could have snared Adam Reynolds

Under-fire Cowboys coach Todd Payten chose to sign Chad Townsend even though North Queensland could have snared Adam Reynolds

  • Todd Payten has revealed that he snubbed the chance to recruit Adam Reynolds 
  • Reynolds, 31, was strongly linked with a move to the Cowboys for the 2022 term 
  • However, North Queensland decided to recruit Sharks star Chad Townsend
  • Payten says he has no regrets over the decision ahead of their game at Suncorp 

Todd Payten has revealed he snubbed the chance to sign Broncos star Adam Reynolds, opting for Chad Townsend instead as the gun half backs prepare to meet this weekend. 

The Cowboys were strongly linked with a move for Reynolds last year, with the former Souths star the subject of widespread speculation with his contract expiring at the end of last season.

North Queensland were earmarked as strong favourites to land the 31-year-old, with chiefs flying to Sydney to hold talks with Reynolds. 

Todd Payten has confirmed that the Cowboys snubbed a move for Adam Reynolds last year

However, the club decided to recruit Sharks half back Townsend and now all eyes will be on the pair when they meet at Suncorp on Sunday night.

Reynolds demonstrated his class in the Broncos 16-10 win over the Bulldogs last time out but as far as Payten is concerned, his side made the right decision in choosing Townsend over the Broncs gun. 

‘We had our eyes on both Reynolds and Townsend actually,’ Payten said via Courier Mail.

‘We felt that Adam’s contract situation would have taken a lot longer to play out and after having a chat with Chad, I was really impressed with him.

Reynolds' future was the subject of widespread speculation

The Cowboys signed former Cronulla star Townsend

Reynolds (L) was closely linked with the club but they opted to sign Chad Townsend (R) instead

‘They are both great players and both would have done a great job at our club, but Chad has been really invested since he arrived at the Cowboys.

‘He has been outstanding. He is like another coach for us out on the training pitch. He is very clear with his talk and direction. He tells the forwards what he wants and they enjoy getting clear instructions from him.

‘Bringing Chad in has given us leadership and a strong voice and his experience will be important for us this week against the Broncos.’

Reynolds will certainly be out to prove a point this weekend and help extend his side’s unblemished record to three wins without defeat. His manager, Steve Gillis, also confirmed that there was strong interest from the Cowboys but the move for Townsend derailed a switch to Townsville. 

The 31-year-old will look to send a message when the Broncos meet the Cowboys on Sunday

The 31-year-old will look to send a message when the Broncos meet the Cowboys on Sunday

‘There was some interest from the Cowboys,’ Gillis said.

‘We had a meeting with them, they came down to Sydney, but they never tabled an offer and they ended up signing Townsend.

‘Reyno had a number of options, he could have gone to Cronulla as well or stayed at Souths for one year, but he liked the idea of a complete change at the Broncos and testing himself with a new adventure.

‘He was impressed by ‘Kevvie’ (Broncos coach Kevin Walters) when they spoke. He connected with Kevvie straight away, they got on well and Adam was keen to get the Broncos firing again.’