When Chad Townsend summed up Cronulla's 2019 NRL season, the word inconsistent came to mind.
But when looking for a word to describe the feeling around the Sharks' 2020 campaign, for Townsend it is simply excitement.
Cronulla battled an interrupted pre-season, off-field distractions and injuries as well as rookie coach John Morris finding his feet as an NRL coach to eventually reach the finals last season before bombing out in the first week to an under-strength Manly.
The Sharks will have a vastly new look in 2020. For the first time in 20 years there will be no Paul Gallen to lead them out following his retirement.
A new captain in Wade Graham will lead a squad shorn of a number of quality players. Premiership winners Gallen, Matt Prior and Sosaia Feki are gone, as are young guns Jayden Brailey and Kyle Flanagan as well as classy utility Kurt Capewell.
Yet returning centre Jesse Ramien is the only real addition to the first team, with Jack Williams likely to get first crack at replacing Gallen in the famous black, white and blue No.13 jersey.
Despite the uncertainty, Townsend is excited. Coming off a season where he played arguably the best football of his career, the 29-year-old is in a happy place off the field as well with the arrival of his second child, a son, during the off-season.
The Yarrawarrah Tigers junior told the Leader he saw the fact the Sharks would be a new-look side in 2020 as a chance to take real ownership of the team.
"I've always seen myself as kind of the captain on the field without being the captain," Townsend said.
I've always seen myself as kind of the captain on the field without being the captain.
- Chad Townsend
"Being the coach's voice on the field, I've always prided myself on being able to do that.
"When we prepare for games and do our video previews, whatever the game plan is that the coach wants to do I'm accountable to. It's my job to deliver that.
"I think it's one of my best qualities and I find it really enjoyable. I want to help Wade out in terms of leadership and keeping the young boys focused, setting the standards and playing to a high standard."
The Sharks spent some time in the lead up to their Christmas break spreading some cheer in the community, making appearances at Sutherland Hospital, Sylvanvale Kirrawee, Civic Disability Caringbah and Sutherland Shire Family Services.
Most Cronulla players took part in five weeks of pre-season training before a short break over the Christmas and New Year period.
Townsend, who has now played almost 170 NRL games and is one of Cronulla's more experienced players, was delighted with his own form on the field last season and wants more of the same in 2020.
"I think individually I played some of the best footy of my career, to be honest," he said.
"There were times where we had a number of playmakers out and I felt like I really stepped up and took responsibility. I'm looking to build on what I did last season. [But] that's not going to help me. I need to get back to work and work hard, go again.
"I feel really focused and motivated. We've lost Gal who was our captain and Wade obviously will take over that role but I really want to help Wade out guiding the young boys and making sure we're playing our best football."
