As a little boy growing up in the shire, Chad Townsend could only dream of playing for the Cronulla Sharks.
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And on Sunday night the Yarrawarrah Tigers junior became an indelible part of the club’s history. Chad Townsend, local junior, was the halfback to lead the Cronulla Sharks to their first premiership.
Townsend returned to the club at the start of the season from a stint in New Zealand and slowly forged one of the best halves combinations in the competition with former Roosters pivot James Maloney.
It is a partnership that Shane Flanagan built the team’s success around, and Townsend told the Leader the enormity of the victory hadn’t sunk in.
“I’ve looked down at my finger numerous times and I can’t believe I’ve got a [premiership] ring on it. It’s something that I’ll never forget,” he said.
“I grew up watching and supporting this team. To be a part of the team to bring home the first premiership in 50 years is something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.”
The 14-12 victory over Melbourne wasn’t without its nervous moments which included a frantic final minute as the Storm threw everything they had at Cronulla.
Townsend said that final defensive effort embodied the team – and thanked the fans for being their 14th man in the closing stages.
“This team is just built on toughness and resilience. With that last play the last couple of seconds it sums up our season,” he said.
“I couldn’t hear anything. It was just 80,000 Sharks fans just screaming their head off.
“I just wanted to run over and find one of the boys as quick as I could and give them a hug [at full-time]. Some of them were in tears.
“That’s what it means to us, it’s the pinnacle of rugby league.
“When we ran out and heard that roar and saw that sea of blue we knew we had the upper hand there and I’m just happy we could bring it home for them.”
