Should Chad Townsend thank Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans for his deal with the Roosters next season?

The signing came out of left-field, and one theory behind it is the Roosters believe DCE will retire from rep footy after next Wednesday night’s State of Origin decider.

If that’s the case, the Roosters’ Sam Walker may well be next man up for the Maroons, leaving the Tricolours short of an experienced playmaker for a large slice of the season.

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Townsend is the perfect man to fill that gap, but time will tell.

All Ryles-ed up
Which current NRL coach was secretly pushed to Parramatta before Jason Ryles got the job on Monday?

The coach, from a struggling club, isn’t in a good place with his players and knows his time at his current club is set to come to an end within the next 12 months.

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But it came too late – the Eels had already decided on Ryles, and he is a good choice.

Ryles has served a long apprenticeship at the Storm and Roosters and will bring a new approach to the club.

The Eels are in need of a facelift and Ryles will do whatever it takes.

Big Papa’s heir found

The Raiders are convinced they have found the heir to veteran Josh Papalii’s front row throne.

Panthers junior Vena Patuki-Case is a 19-year-old giant who tips the scales at 115kg, and has just been upgraded and extended by the Raiders.

Patuki-Case is a development player at the Raiders this season but has been so impressive in the Flegg Cup that he will be in the club’s top 30 squad next season.

With Papalii now 32 and approaching the end of his illustrious career, look for this kid to fill his shoes in coming seasons.