Touching Scenes As Sterlo Shares A Moment With Townsend

Two champion halfbacks.


Article heading image for Touching Scenes As Sterlo Shares A Moment With Townsend

Photos: Channel Nine / Triple M

There was a touching moment shared between Channel Nine and Triple M's Sterlo and Sharks half Chad Townsend after tonight's win against the Cowboys.

After being hooked in his previous finals appearance, it would be understandable for Townsend to be a bit rattled coming into such a huge game.

However, he was able to brush off the nerves and even grab a try in the outing.

While he wouldn't go into what he exactly said, Sterlo told Channel Nine he simply wanted to share a few quiet words of wisdom with the halfback, congratulating him on a superb performance under pressure. 

"There has been no second guessing for Chad Townsend tonight. His passing has been crisp and decisive," Peter Sterling told Channel Nine.

"He has been wonderful and that carried on the season he had put together."

Channel Nine's Andrew Johns also gave Sterlo a big wrap after the game for sharing some one-on-one time with Chad Townsend after the game.

He said with the NRL often getting kicked by bad publicity these are the types of stories that make rugby league great. 

Townsend Earns NRL Finals Redemption

Cronulla halfback Chad Townsend has turned his NRL finals humiliation into happiness, steering the Sharks into the grand final two weeks after being hooked by coach Shane Flanagan.

Townsend had nowhere to hide as he was dragged during the second half in the Sharks' gutsy qualifying final defeat of Canberra at GIO Stadium.

Flanagan and his side rallied around the Sharks junior during the week off and he repaid their faith by starring in the 32-20 win over North Queensland at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

Townsend scored a crucial first-half try, almost scored another and put Luke Lewis over in the 52nd minute to seal passage through to the decider.

The 25-year-old has been a key part of Cronulla's success this year.

However, he struggled badly against Canberra, struggling in defence and failing to provide direction in attack.

But that is all a sidenote in the Sharks' charge to a their fourth decider in their 50-year history.

"There has been no second guessing for Chad Townsend tonight. His passing has been crisp and decisive," Peter Sterling said Channel Nine.

"He has been wonderful and that carried on the season he had put together."

Townsend's kicking game was also crucial for the Sharks as it put repeated pressure on Cowboys fullback Lachlan Coote.

The Yarrawarrah Tigers junior was key in gaining revenge for the Sharks after their 39-0 thumping to North Queensland in the 2015 finals series, winning his head-to-head battle with Cowboys superstar Johnathan Thurston.

"That's football, the other night wasn't my night," Townsend told Channel Nine.

"I was just happy to be able to contribute tonight.

"There was a bit of satisfaction. I didn't agree with Shane's decision but I respect him as a coach and I moved on."

Townsend can earn the ultimate redemption next week if he can help Cronulla to their maiden title in the decider at ANZ Stadium.

8 December 2016

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