Chad Townsend describes it as a “second debut” – one chance to stake his claim for a regular NRL gig with a resurgent Cronulla.
Before Todd Carney and Jeff Robson arrived in the shire and propelled the Sharks into the NRL top four, Townsend was the latest in a long line of Cronulla playmakers given an opportunity to turn Cronulla into a premiership force.
The 21-year-old impressed in 11 top grade games last season, but with Carney and Robson quickly establishing themselves as the first-choice pairing in 2012, he hasn’t been sighted since.
A cracked sternum at the start of the year while playing in the NSW Cup didn’t help his cause, but with Carney unavailable for Sunday’s game against Gold Coast due to NSW Origin duty, Townsend is ready to seize his chance.
“I can’t wait – it’s almost like a second debut I guess,” Townsend told AAP.
“I won’t be able to sleep Saturday night that’s for sure.
“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t hard (not playing NRL).
“It’s a bit disappointing, but I’ve obviously got to bide my time and play good in reserve grade and wait for my chance.
“I’ve got my chance this weekend so I just want to make the most of it.”
In reality it’s the man he will line up alongside on Sunday, Robson, that Townsend will have to unseat, with Carney’s position in the side all-assured.
And a win over the Titans without Carney and NSW skipper Paul Gallen will go a long way towards proving his worth to the team.
“I want to play as much first grade as I can and I’m hoping that this week I can show Flanno (coach Shane Flanagan) what I’ve got and I can be a part of this team,” Townsend said.
“They’re (Carney and Gallen) our two best players and to go out and win without them would be unreal.
“The boys put in a good effort the other week without Gal and beat Melbourne so I don’t see why we can’t put in a good performance on Sunday.”
The Sharks have slipped to eighth following back-to-back losses, while three straight wins have lifted the Titans to within two wins of the top eight following a poor start to the season.
The absence of Carney and Gallen is offset by the unavailability of Gold Coast’s Origin trio of Greg Bird, Ashley Harrison and Nate Myles.
