When Chad Townsend runs out onto Shark Park on Sunday, it will have been 1,296 days since he last wore the black, white and blue on his home ground.
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Cronulla host Manly in their first trial game of the campaign as they continue preparations for their NRL season opener against reining premiers North Queensland in Townsville.
Townsend has returned to his boyhood club after a stint in New Zealand with the Warriors and, although Sunday’s clash is only a trial, the 25-year-old is excited to step back out in front of Cronulla fans as a Shark.
It will be the first opportunity for the Yarrawarra Tigers junior to re-gain the No.7 jersey and build an exciting halves combination with another new signing in James Maloney.
Townsend told The Leader he was buzzing for Sunday.
“I’ve always had an emotional connection to this ground,” he said.
“It’s somewhere I used to come when I was younger to watch the Sharks play and every time I come out here I don’t take it for granted.
“I’ve got a couple of mates that have hit me up for tickets [already].
“My family and friends [will be coming to watch] – it’s going to be good for them to come down and see me play at Shark Park which is very exciting for me.”
Cronulla will be without Michael Ennis, Ben Barba, Wade Graham and Andrew and David Fifita who will play in the NRL All-Stars match on Saturday night, and captain Paul Gallen who pulled out of that match with a calf strain.
Manly are relatively unaffected by the All-Stars clash, with only Martin Taupau unavailable.
But the Sea Eagles have question marks over a number of players after they suffered several injuries at the Auckland Nines last week.
Jamie Buhrer (broken jaw), Jayden Hodges (anterior cruciate ligament), Jake Trbojevic (concussion), Nathan Green (concussion) and Jorge Taufua (knee) were all injured.
But Townsend said he still expected a tough challenge from Manly.
“Manly are a quality team and they’ve got a quality history about the way they go about their business,” he said.
“They’ve recruited very well and I’m sure they’re going to put out a strong side at some stage.
“While it’s just a trial we want to win, that’s our mentality and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
It will be the first time Townsend and Maloney will be paired in the halves together and Townsend said it was something he had been looking forward to since the start of pre-season.
“I see myself as a seven, barking orders and making sure we get Flanno’s game plan on during the game,” he said.
“I guess that is one of my biggest strengths and something I feel comfortable doing.
“I don’t feel embarrassed or anything telling people what to do, I’m very comfortable telling older guys what to do.
“I know they sort of look to us halves for direction and it’s something I enjoy doing and have to continue during the year.
“[Our combination is] coming along really well.
“I ask [Maloney] a lot of questions and I’ve learned a lot off him during the pre-season.
“Our combination has definitely got better as the weeks have gone on.
“He’s a quality player and I’m really looking forward to forming a good combination there.
“Obviously we’re both genuine halves and James has played in the big games and has experience of winning grand finals.
“He’s played Origin and that big game experience is going to be a massive asset for us.”
The club will also hold its season launch on Sunday, with gates open from 2pm.
There will be kids' activities on the Family Hill and a performance from the Mermaids as well as an under-20s trial.
First grade starts at 5pm.