Down 14-12 and with the game in the balance, Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan removed Townsend from the field due to the No.7’s obvious lack of confidence.

Townsend seemed overawed by the occasion with the mentor given little choice but to take him off. 

Two penalty goals to James Maloney got the Shire club home but not without majorly denting Townsend’s confidence.

And with a legitimate shot at  the club’s maiden premiership on the line, the Sharks can ill afford to have their main playmaker second guessing himself in the heat of battle.

Ennis said the week off and some time to regroup had given Townsend a new outlook which he believed would return the halfback to the type of form that had him rated among the competitions best earlier this season.

“I think it was a real test to Chad’s character and he has come out with flying colours and the boys rallied around him but the way he handled it, the boys didn’t have to do it for long” he said.

“He had a good chat to Flanno (Flanagan) after the game and from then on Chad’s been straight back at halfback.

“He has had a great season and is a big part of what we do and we need him there on Friday night and he will be there and I know he is looking forward to it.”