The Sharks are now on the hunt for a halfback after premiership-winning number seven Chad Townsend committed his future to the North Queensland Cowboys.
Cronulla was reportedly surprised that Townsend didn’t take up a one-year option in his favour for 2022, but The Daily Telegraph's David Riccio feels his departure allows the club to chase a star playmaker.
Townsend's exit frees up $600,000 in salary cap space which Riccio believes will now be used to target Souths star Adam Reynolds or Eels playmaker Mitchell Moses.
“The Chad Townsend situation at Cronulla has caught the Sharks’ management somewhat by surprise,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Townsend wasn’t off-contract this year, he had a player option in his contract that he could trigger to either play on another year with the Sharks or leave at the end of this season.
“However, Cronulla’s management always felt it was more likely that he’d go around again next year.
“Suddenly, they have a $600,000 gift from Chad Townsend for his decision to leave the club to join North Queensland on a three-year deal.
“The Sharks are suddenly the big fish in the ocean for a player like Mitchell Moses, or a player like Adam Reynolds.
“It’s the latter that I’m hearing is firm in the Sharks’ sights as a replacement for Townsend.”
With Townsend committed to the Cowboys from 2022, Riccio pondered if interim Sharks coach Josh Hannay will opt to play another halfback for the remainder of the season.
“The other question is what do the Sharks do with Townsend going forward? Three doesn’t go into two,” Riccio added.
“Right now, they’ve got Shaun Johnson coming back from injury, Matt Moylan’s there as well as Chad Townsend.
“Does Chad Townsend seek an early release to go to the Cowboys? And does Josh Hannay make a big call for the club’s future and only play Moylan and Johnson as the starting halves going forward?
“We’re going to see a lot play out.”
Townsend and Moylan will fill the seven and six slots this Saturday against the Bulldogs while Johnson makes his return from injury via the interchange.