The recent signing of Chad Townsend by the Sydney Roosters has the majority of league fans asking one thing ...
"...Really?"
On paper, this makes little to no sense. An aging halfback, hardly setting the league on fire, moving to Sydney to play for the Roosters.
I get it, this is a premiership-winning halfback, widely known as one of the competition's genuine good guys, who can do a job.
That said, with the greatest of respects to the man who lead my Sharks to their first ever title ... really?
It did get me thinking about recent, similar signings. Players who were signed to a chorus of indifference, and the impacts they ultimately had.
Here are ten signings who arrived under, shall we say, mixed reviews!? All of which turned out more than a little okay.
1. Ben Barba (Cronulla Sharks)
The ultimate rugby league rags to riches (and unfortunately back to rags) stories comes in the form of Ben Barba.
Reduced to a bit part player coming off the bench for the Broncos, fans in the Shire grit their teeth as the wayward, albeit talented fullback made his way to the Sharks.
Barba would rise in 2016 to be the Sharks most influential player in their maiden title win. He should have won the 2016 Dally M medal.
Barba's 2016 season was the best individual season I have ever seen for the Sharks. I'd argue there were few better in the recent game.
Considering how he arrived, very much in a last chance saloon type situation, he delivered in a massive way.
