‘Hard to put into words’: Townsend’s touching NRL tribute in retirement reveal

'My time is now': Townsend to retire | 01:46

Premiership-winning halfback Chad Townsend has announced he will be retiring from the NRL at the conclusion of the 2025 season.

The 34-year-old has played 268 NRL games to date across a 15-year career, having made his first grade debut for the Sharks in 2011.

He won a title with that same club in 2016, while he also represented both NSW City and the Prime Minister’s XII.

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Townsend played for four NRL clubs over the course of his impressive career, representing the Sharks, Warriors, Cowboys and most recently the Roosters.

“It’s hard to put into words what this game means to me,” Townsend said in a statement.

“I’d like to thank the Yarrawarrah Tigers for giving me an opportunity to fall in love with this game. The memories and friendships I created at my junior club still live with me today and I am very grateful for that.

“To the teams I played for, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, New Zealand Warriors, North Queensland Cowboys and Sydney Roosters, I am forever grateful for the opportunity you gave me to fulfil my dreams of playing in the NRL.

“I’d like to thank all the fans who have showed love and support to me throughout my journey. I have always enjoyed connecting with people through our shared love of rugby league.

“To all my teammates over the years, thank you for being there for me throughout the highs and lows that is the rollercoaster of the NRL.

“We shared some incredible memories together and this will be the thing I miss the most.

“To my coaches, football staff and club staff, thank you for all your support throughout my career. I have been lucky to work with some incredible people and build some great relationships.

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“To my management, Gavin and Chris at Pacific Sports Management, we have shared a long journey together. Thank you for your guidance and support throughout my entire NRL career.

“To my beautiful wife Marissa and our kids Myra, Cairo, Miami and Malibu, thank you for your unwavering support throughout my career. You have been there through it all, on and off the field. Every win, every loss, we did it together.

“When I think about the young kid from Yarrawarrah who was footy obsessed, who just wanted to play footy with his mates, who stood on the family hill waving his flag, who had dreams of making it to the NRL and who had to earn everything he got, my heart and soul are filled with love and gratitude.”

Copping off his tribute, he wrote: “The game owed me nothing, but it gave me everything.”

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