‘Almost a home game’: Cowboys star Chad Townsend’s 11-year first
Chad Townsend was there for all of Cronulla’s biggest moments, but on Saturday night, he’ll do something he’s never done before.
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Chad Townsend played nine seasons for the Sharks and was a part of the history-making team that claimed the 2016 premiership.
But on Saturday night, he’ll finally get to play his first finals game at PointsBet Stadium, albeit in a North Queensland jersey.
Smaller stadiums have been one of the biggest talking points this week, with the Sharks and Panthers confirming sellouts for their qualifying finals at smaller grounds when most fans would like to see their games played at bigger venues.
Cronulla’s home ground holds around 11,500 people, which means plenty of fans will miss out.
It’s a scenario that could have been avoided if the game had been moved to Allianz Stadium, which holds roughly 42,000 people and has played host to Cronulla’s past six home finals.
“It doesn’t worry me,” said Townsend, who kicked the winning field goal in 2018 when the Sharks pipped Penrith in the penultimate game at the old Sydney Football Stadium.
“When we were at Shark Park, we never got to play there.
“It’s a little bit strange in that regard as to why we couldn’t play there in the past because from what I understand the crowd is going to be a lot less than what they would have got at Allianz.
“That’s going to upset a few fans, but it’s a decision that I have nothing to do with.”
The Sharks have drawn some big crowds at Allianz Stadium, with more than 30,000 people attending finals matches against the Cowboys in 2013 and 2016, including the infamous seven-tackle try nine years ago.
Saturday’s game between second and third marks the return of finals to the Shire for the first time since 2008, although Cronulla will be forced to play their next home game at a bigger stadium.
“Allianz has that ability to hold a lot more people, and when I was there, we did have a fair bit of success at that field,” Townsend said.
“But now I’m on the other side of the fence, where we play doesn’t really worry us. We’ve had a great track record away from home and we’re looking to build on it.
“It’s going to be awesome. I played a lot of years with that jersey on and I played a lot of games at that field, so for me, it almost feels like a home game.
“It’s got that suburban feel and that’s one of the best things you get in footy. Hostility in sport is such a big thing because the crowd will either love you or hate you, and that’s the passion that provides the best atmosphere.
“I’ve already had a lot of friends and family that have hit me up for tickets. I’ve got a lot of fond memories in that jersey and a lot of great mates who still play there.”
Townsend said he’d laugh if you told him at the start of the season that he’d be taking on his former side in a top-four shootout in the first week of the finals, especially after the Cowboys finished 15th just last year.
The Cowboys are outsiders but they have a not-so-secret weapon who could return to the Shire to torment his former teammates.
Valentine Holmes struggled to adjust to the NRL after trying his luck in the NFL, but he’s returned to his best in 2022 in a new role at left centre.
He represented his state, finished the regular season as the leading point scorer and is set to feature in the World Cup, and he looms as one of the players to watch in the finals.
“He’s definitely our X-factor for the finals series,” Townsend said.
“You look at what he’s done in a completely new position in the space of 12 months, it’s incredible.
“He totally bought into the training and learning the defensive principles, and he’s developed into one of the elite centres of the competition. He’s that and more now.
“He can find a try from wherever and he can kick goals from anywhere as well. He’s had a stellar year, and it’s not over.”
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Originally published as ‘Almost a home game’: Cowboys star Chad Townsend’s 11-year first
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