It was one of the great brainsnaps of the season.
Down by two points with two minutes to play, the Sharks had Canterbury shot to pieces after a long run from back-rower Jack Williams.
The ball ended up in Chad Townsend’s hands and it appeared the half only had to pass to outside support to capitalise on a numerical advantage.
Instead he grubbered and the opportunity – along with the game – was lost as the Dogs cleaned up the kick.
Watch the incident below:
What is happening? 🤯🤯🤯
— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) June 30, 2019
Sunday Footy | @Channel9#9WWOS #NRL #NRLBulldogsSharks pic.twitter.com/azG4KFxoxR
So tell us what happened, Chad?
“Jack (Williams) made the break and then he got tackled a few metres from the line,” the Sharks No.7 told Macquarie Sports Radio.
“I was out on the left screaming for the ball and Shaun (Johnson) couldn’t hear me.
“I saw the boys out wide and I thought it could’ve been too far for a pass so I put a kick in – whether that was the right or wrong decision, I’ll live by that.”
Sharks supporters might disagree, but Townsend is adamant that moment did not cost Cronulla the game.
He said: “It’s disappointing the game ended there but we didn’t lose the game in that last play.
“The whole game wasn’t up to our standard.”
The result - a () defeat to the last-placed Bulldogs, leaves the Sharks in seventh spot on the ladder, but equal on competition points with the eighth placed Eels and ninth placed Dragons.
On social media, Sharks fans were quick to call for Townsend's head.
During labor, the pain is so great that a woman can almost imagine what it's like to see Chad Townsend blow a 4 on 1 overlap
— Unleash THE Flanj (@suthodan) June 30, 2019
Anyone that thinks Chad Townsend should fill in for Cleary for the blues if his not fit have no fucking idea. 2 wks in a row when game is on the line his come up with the wrong play. Bring in Flanno and Roosters can have Townsend
— Josh McPaul (@JoshMcPaul1) June 30, 2019
#NRL I need to take ownership of a comment I made pre game one of the #Origin series...I uttered the words that "Chad Townsend should be considered for NSW", these were words used collectively in poor judgement and I should have known better.
— We Need a Sports News Fact Checker (@crowdiegal) June 30, 2019
Cronulla now play the Broncos at home this Sunday, with the 14th placed Brisbane looking to rebound from a 26-12 drubbing at the hands of Newcastle last weekend.