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.
2. Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights)
Kids, I am old enough to remember a Dane Gagai that wasn't a highly decorated rep footballer who played a massive part in QLD's Origin dominance.
Gagai was a very highly rated youngster but arrived at Newcastle ... troubled.
The Broncos released their young star due to disciplinary reasons, with Gagai's undoubted potential looking as though it would go to waste.
To his credit, Gagai used his time at the Knights to completely turn both his career and life around to become one of the Origin arenas most decorated wingers.
