Official Chad Townsend

[Jigsaw]

Brad Fitler, Laurie Daley, Allan Langer, Steve Rogers, Andrew Ettingshausen

Josh Dugan, Todd Carney, Pearce, Inglis, Idris

These players will be the next legends of our game. They started young and are showing amazing talent. Unfortunately our young gun hope was Fergo and he has ditched us. id love to see Gardner be one as well.... but i dunno i have this feeling he will back door us as well

 

[Ramzyv1]

Josh Dugan, Todd Carney, Pearce, Inglis, Idris

These players will be the next legends of our game. They started young and are showing amazing talent. Unfortunately our young gun hope was Fergo and he has ditched us. id love to see Gardner be one as well.... but i dunno i have this feeling he will back door us as well

I don't agree, Gardner seems much more appreciative and humble than Fergo. In all Gardner's interviews so far he talks about the club so positively and how much Baz and Gal help him. I can see him being loyal to us as long as we do right by him. If we had ended up signing Mini like I wanted to despite Gard's form, well I'd say then it would be a totally different story so I am glad we didn't do that.

 

[hitman124]

I completely agree about Gardner, he seems very greatful to be apart of our first grade side, and seems like a real "quiet achiever" as a person, no ego, no BS, just someone with a lot of heart and a hell of a lot of fight.


I dont agree that Idris will be a legend of the game, he has a lot of natural ability, but very little application. Lazy in other words.

 

[josh11223344]

I'll throw some names at ya, and pose a serious question.

Brad Fitler, Laurie Daley, Allan Langer, Steve Rogers, Andrew Ettingshausen just to name a few, players that are considered by many to be, well, legends of their football clubs, and also listed within the top 100 players of all time.

These players were basically given their chances when they were very young, and they stood up to become the legends they are today, so, here is my question. "Why are some NRL coaches so intent on holding back some of the talented players at their disposal, and not letting some of these kids stand up and show what they have got?

We have had nothing but trouble with whoever wears our number 7 jersey this year, yet we have this kid Chad Townsend in the lower grades who has represented the Aussie schoolboys and NSW under 20s the last 2 years, and he is being held in the juniors. Christ, let's give the kid a run in firsts and see what he has got. Couldn't hurt could it? He might be the next Andrew Johns. I'm all for the old saying, old enough if good enough. What do you guys think? (ps. I have not seen this kid play because i live in the Central West of NSW, so if i am over rating this kid, i am truly sorry, but surely we must have another Nathan Gardner type junior coming through that is worthy of a run.)

Chad townsends game revolves around kicking and organising so there wouldn't be that much change for him in the 2 grades and I think he is a capable defender.

So I think he could handle it and just be a good solid First Grader for a couple of years until he comes of age and becomes really good.

 

[bort]

Josh Dugan, Todd Carney, Pearce, Inglis, Idris

These players will be the next legends of our game.

Pearce I am 50/50 on. Idris I really have my doubts about though.

 

[ABshark]

No one's talking Chad Townsend...

Why not?

We've got the Wade Graham, Albert Kelly and 2011 Season Outlook threads chugging away at a rate of knots with lively debates over who our halves should be next season. But no one- except fitz, who mentioned this today in one of those threads, has mentioned Townsend.

This guy is exactly what the Sharks need. We must put everything into keeping him and developing him. Talking to his Mum a few weeks ago, she was telling me how ever since he was four years old, his only dream has been to play for the Sharks.

That sort of passion in a local junior is what we have been missing recently, especially since Reece got injured. We must not put high priced, over-rated imports above the likes of Chad Townsend, guys who have a real desire to play for the Sharks.

As much as I'd love to see Chad make it in the NRL squad, I honestly believe he has another 6-12 months in his development to hone his craft. He'll be a serious match winner one day but only if we develop him properly. we need to be strategic as to when we blood new players

So, what do people think? fitz, you said 6 to 12 months in August. Do you think he will be ready at any time in 2011?

Personally, I like him as a player. Sometimes the less glamourous players are the ones that get the job done. I like his talking, his smarts, his leadership and his kicking game. From my viewing of him last year, my question marks were over his physicality (is he developed/strong enough/fit enough to handle 80mins of 1st grade yet?), his speed and ability to challenge the line (though I noticed he scored some tries late in the year) and his ability to put blokes in holes with his passing game.

He's one of three u20s who are training with the fulltime squad over summer, so his physical size and speed will certainly be improved by April 2011. With SFP leaving and Smith not making an impact, he's the other 'pure' halfback at the club. Could a big offseason get him the nod from Flano?

 

[fitz]

I know that some might think I'm giving him too much of a rap but I honestly see Chad is from the same mold as Mitch Healey and Michael Speechley. And that aint a bad mold to be forged from!

I think he'll benefit hugely from Baz's focused attention as the Club's halves coach over the next 12 months.

As far as will he get a run?

I hope when the time comes for him to step up and take the opportunity that he does so and meets that challenge full on.

 

[gosharkies]

I know that some might think I'm giving him too much of a rap but I honestly see Chad is from the same mold as Mitch Healey and Michael Speechley. And that aint a bad mold to be forged from!

I think he'll benefit hugely from Baz's focused attention as the Club's halves coach over the next 12 months.

As far as will he get a run?

I hope when the time comes for him to step up and take the opportunity that he does so and meets that challenge full on.

i hope your right fitz both healey & spechley were great players. i was not real impressed with either smith or porter, i know they may play better under flanno.if they don,t who out of chad & kelly who deserves first crack at partnering graham in the halves?

 

[fitz]

At the end of the day what you or I think is pretty immaterial.

What is most important in a halfback is what the rest of the team thinks.

Despite any preferences that I have for players I like or dislike, I understand that the best halfback is the one that the rest of the team is willing to follow and that is the person I want to get the gig.

 

[goodbyepenrithhellosharks]

At the end of the day what you or I think is pretty immaterial.

What is most important in a halfback is what the rest of the team thinks.

Despite any preferences that I have for players I like or dislike, I understand that the best halfback is the one that the rest of the team is willing to follow and that is the person I want to get the gig.

:Yes::Yes::Yes::Yes:

 

[gosharkies]

At the end of the day what you or I think is pretty immaterial.

What is most important in a halfback is what the rest of the team thinks.

Despite any preferences that I have for players I like or dislike, I understand that the best halfback is the one that the rest of the team is willing to follow and that is the person I want to get the gig.

i was asking your opinion as i live on the tweed so i do not get to see as many of the sharks lower grades games so it is bit hard for me judge the form of the younger players.
i was wondering who you currently think out of the kelly or chad deserves first chance in first grade?

 

[fitz]

i was asking your opinion as i live on the tweed so i do not get to see as many of the sharks lower grades games so it is bit hard for me judge the form of the younger players.
i was wondering who you currently think out of the kelly or chad deserves first chance in first grade?

Mate, you've obviously misunderstood my previous post.

What I am saying is that it is not a matter of who "deserves" the gig more, it's a matter of who the rest of the team want to have as their halfback.

If they want to follow T. Smith around the park then so be it...
If they want to follow Kelly around the park then so be it...
If they want to follow Townsend around the park then so be it...
If they want to follow Sherwin around the park then so be it...

The best halfback is the best halfback for the team and whoever that is has my support because it is then that you'll see them getting the best out of the team and the team supporting them.

 

[Mr Wright]

Chad has a great kicking game, both short and long. Needs to challenge the line a little more, but I guess if he was to be paired with either Kelly/Graham, Chad wouldn't have to run the ball all that much. Still think he around a year away from the NRL, but I'd be glad to see him get a run later in the year.

 

[Fitzy2513]

i was asking your opinion as i live on the tweed so i do not get to see as many of the sharks lower grades games so it is bit hard for me judge the form of the younger players.
i was wondering who you currently think out of the kelly or chad deserves first chance in first grade?

Mate I hear what your saying. My opinion is chad is an old style half. Kick, pass, direct. Needs to work more on his running game but a real toiler.
AK flashy, steps left and right more individual. Ideally both should complement each other however this wasn't the case in NYC.
Traditionally our better sides have had the toiler type halves and the flashy outside backs. Chad definately before Smith or Porter. But I don't know if he will be before Kelly it all depends on, for me anyway, whether Graham is playing 7 or 6.

 

[josh11223344]

I've had no doubt since about half way into the season that he was good enough to make the jump but I think there is a reason he hasn't been talked about on here and that is because he won't get a look in even though IMO he should

 

[Lumpy]

If our forward pack comes good and Smith is not up to it then young Chad may get a run. Given he can still play NYC I don't see the point of throwing a kid to the Wolves. Lets see how smith and our pack goes first. Flanno will be keeping a very close eye on him and given Joey is the assistant he will push for his kids to get a go if they warrant it.

 

[NewyKnight47]

How is young Chad Townsend going for you guys? May be a chance for FG this year?

 

[snowman]

chad looked very good in the nyc, i would hope he gets a call up before smiff and snp

 

[The Shire]

chad looked very good in the nyc, i would hope he gets a call up before smiff and snp

Yeah he was great in the NYC. i think he will play a fair bit this year and has a lot more potential than porter.

 

[ABshark]

Haha, I was wondering whether the calls to get him in first grade would start this early.

Give him time, but I do hope the club makes sure they keep him here for quite a while yet.