Game at Shark Park fine with Chad

Townsend played nine seasons for the Sharks and was a part of the history-making team that claimed the 2016 premiership.

But on Saturday night, he’ll play his first finals game at PointsBet Stadium, albeit in a North Queensland jersey.

Smaller stadiums have been one of the biggest talking points this week, with the Sharks and Panthers confirming sellouts for their qualifying finals at smaller grounds when most fans would like to see the games played at bigger venues.

Cronulla’s home ground holds around 11,500, meaning plenty of fans will miss out.

It’s a scenario that could have been avoided had the game gone to Allianz Stadium, which holds roughly 42,000 and has played host to Cronulla’s past six home finals.

“It doesn’t worry me,” said Townsend, who kicked the winning field goal in 2018 when the Sharks pipped Penrith in the penultimate game at the Sydney Football Stadium.

“When we were at Shark Park, we never got to play there. It’s a little bit strange in that regard as to why we couldn’t play there in the past because from what I understand the crowd is going to be a lot less than what they would have got at Allianz.

“That’s going to upset a few fans, but it’s a decision that I have nothing to do with.”

The Sharks have drawn some big crowds at Allianz Stadium, with more than 30,000 people attending finals matchCHAD es against the Cowboys in 2013 and 2016, including the infamous seven-tackle try nine years ago.

Saturday’s game between second and third marks the return of finals to the Shire for the first time since 2008, although Cronulla will be forced to play their next home game at a bigger stadium.

“Allianz has that ability to hold a lot more people, and when I was there, we did have a fair bit of success at that field,” Townsend said.

“But now I’m on the other side of the fence, where we play doesn’t really worry us. We’ve had a great track record away from home and we’re looking to build on it.”