Eager Sharks players circle for Valentine Holmes’ NFL debut
Cronulla halfback Chad Townsend is NFL hopeful Valentine Holmes’ biggest fan, and he’ll be watching on as the former NRL star debuts for the New York Jets in a practice match on Friday morning.
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Chad Townsend will become rugby league’s official NFL correspondent - the eyes and ears for a Cronulla side cheering Valentine Holmes’ first game for the New York Jets.
Seven months after moving to the US, Holmes is expected to make his NFL debut at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium in a practice match against the New York Giants from 9am on Friday morning.
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But the only way for American football fans in Australia to witness Holmes’ first touch for the Jets is via the official NFL app.
Which is where Townsend steps in.
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The Sharks playmaker is a tragic Cleveland Browns fan and self-confessed supporter of his former premiership-winning teammate’s mission to crack the NFL.
Close mates after winning the 2016 premiership, Townsend spoke to Holmes as late as Thursday.
And ahead of Cronulla’s crucial clash with Penrith on Friday night, Townsend said he would be watching the champion fullback’s NFL audition - and sending live updates to his Sharks teammates.
“I’ll be watching for sure,’’ Townsend said.
“I’m one of Val’s biggest fans in terms of NFL because I like NFL. So I try and pass on everything to the boys (Sharks players) about how Val is going.
“I’ve been in regular contact with him, just seeing how he’s going and just making sure he’s staying focused on what he needs to do.
“I’ve been speaking to him this morning via message. He said he’s feeling good.
“Hopefully he gets as much times as possible to showcase what he’s got.
“He’s been training at running back, kick-returner and a few other positions on special teams.’’
Townsend said Holmes’ former club teammates were eager to follow his challenging switch to the NFL.
“The other day after training when I checked my phone I saw the touchdown he was able to pull-off during jets training and all the boys were huddled around the phone, watching the touchdown,’’ Townsend said.
“Everyone can’t wait to see how he goes.
“We’ve got an NFL Fantasy comp at Cronulla as well. Wade Graham loves it, Jack Williams loves it, Josh Dugan as well, but all the boys are getting around Val.’’
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However, Sharks coach John Morris downplayed hope that Holmes would return to the Sharks, should he fail to be selected on the Jets’ 53-man roster.
“Geez, I’d love to have Val back,’’ Morris said.
“But where we currently sit, continually managing our salary cap as it is, it’s tight let alone welcoming Val Holmes back.
“Would he be welcomed? He certainly would be, but from my belief I don’t think he’ll be back.
“I think he’s locked in for another 12-months regardless whether he makes the 53-man roster.
“But Val is always welcome back at the Sharks.
“As they go into their pre-season trials, hopefully he can make a big impression on the Jets.’’
Originally published as Eager Sharks players circle for Valentine Holmes’ NFL debut
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