Why Townsend isn't a fan of Chammas' reported PNG appointment

With Michael Chammas reportedly appointed as the PNG Chiefs' inaugural General Manager of Football, Chad Townsend remains unconvinced that he is the right man for the role.

With the news breaking on Monday that the Sydney Morning Herald and Channel Nine journalist has been named as the inaugural GM of the NRL’s 19th side, many were left surprised by the decision made by the NRL.

Especially considering that Chammas has no experience working at the club level, this leaves some doubts in the mind of the 2016 Premiership player about his ability to handle the role.

“It’s very left field,” Townsend said on SEN’s Around the Grounds.

“I’m not a massive fan of it, to be honest. I feel like we’re appointing someone with no experience in running an NRL team. This is probably the hardest general manager position in the NRL.

“We’ve seen the challenges that Perth have had, and I’m not doubting the person of Michael Chammas. I just feel that it’s a role (where we go), ‘Does Michael Chammas have experience running a business?’

“Does he have experience managing a salary cap, recruiting (and) retention of players?”

Townsend would then double down on his view, believing that, given the importance of the Chiefs being successful for the competition, the NRL should look to employ those who have done it before.

“I honestly think this (PNG Chiefs) is going to be the hardest position for the general manager, (the) board, (and the) CEO that we have in the NRL (club space),” he continued.

“It’s a new team that’s outside of Australia, and you want someone who has vast experience of setting up an NRL team or just being inside an NRL club.

“For someone who hasn’t spent time in a club, like clubland is different.

“It is run a certain way, and I don’t know if Michael Chammas has the experience in running those sorts of environments.

“I don’t know if it’s going to work.”

While speculation has been rife about his appointment, he has yet to be officially named as the GM of Football.

That is expected to be announced at a later date.

The club has appointed Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League Director Lorna McPherson as its inaugural CEO.

She is one of seven members who have also been appointed to the board, which has already faced issues following inaugural chair Ray Dib claiming he was forced out of the role in January.

The Chiefs are currently expected to enter the competition in 2028.