The Chad Townsend Show

Welcome back to the podcast!
10 YEARS ON… ANDREW FIFITA IS BACK TO RELIVE ONE OF THE GREATEST SEASONS IN CRONULLA SHARKS HISTORY.
In this episode of The Chad Townsend Show, I sit down with my former Sharks teammate Andrew Fifita in collaboration with James Maloney and the Rugby League Journeyman to go back to 2016 — the season Cronulla finally broke through and won their first NRL Premiership after 49 years of heartbreak.

And of course, we have to talk about THAT Grand Final.

Andrew produced one of the most incredible moments in Sharks history when he charged onto the ball, beat the defence and crashed over to score a massive try in the 2016 Grand Final against Melbourne.

We go behind the scenes of that moment and the entire 2016 journey.

- The incredible 15-game winning streak
- What made the 2016 Sharks team so special
- The pressure of trying to win Cronulla's first premiership
- Andrew Fifita's unbelievable Grand Final try
- The moments leading into the Grand Final
- What was really happening inside the Sharks dressing room
- Stories from the 2016 playing group
- The belief that this team could finally win it
- What it meant to finally bring the premiership back to Cronulla
- The emotions of winning after 49 yearsAndrew Fifita was one of the most important players in that 2016 team, and this is his story of the season that changed Sharks history forever.

10 YEARS ON — WE GO BACK TO 2016.

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The NRL Finals are heating up! Week 1 of the 2026 NRL Finals delivered massive moments, huge upsets and plenty of controversy — and the big question is now:
WHO CAN ACTUALLY BEAT THE PANTHERS?
In this episode of The Chad Townsend Show, we break down EVERYTHING from Week 1 of the NRL Finals:
- Are the Dolphins now genuine premiership contenders?
- Dolphins stun the Warriors 26-16 in Auckland and book a Preliminary Final
- Isaiya Katoa, Herbie Farnworth & The Hammer step up in a huge finals win
- Knights knock out Souths — how good is Newcastle's turnaround from wooden spooners to a Preliminary Final threat?
- Dane Gagai vs Latrell Mitchell — the battle everyone was talking about
- Cody Walker's injury — did it change Souths' finals campaign?
- Sharks eliminate the Cowboys — are Cronulla good enough to go all the way?
- Nicho Hynes delivers a huge finals moment
- Can the Cowboys bounce back from 18 errors and a disappointing finals exit?
- Are the Roosters actually a bigger threat than people think after pushing Penrith all the way?
- Penrith survive another huge finals test — are they STILL the team to beat?
- Nathan Cleary sin-binned for dangerous contact on Hugo Savala
- We break down the Cleary kicker-contact incident and the previous NRL precedents
- Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o and the Panthers' big-game mentality
- Week 2 preview — Warriors v Knights + Roosters v Sharks

Plus: our biggest winners, losers, performances and predictions heading into Week 2.
Who wins the 2026 NRL Premiership?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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THE CHAD TOWNSEND SHOW PODCAST:
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HUDDLE CONNECT:
Huddle connect is an Aussie owned broadband provider delivering high performance internet speeds. Huddle Connect allows you to give up to $5 from your internet plan every month back to grass roots sports. https://linktr.ee/huddleconnect

Contact:
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THE NUTRITIOUS BROS:
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https://thenutritiousbros.com.au/

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Thanks for listening!

Please make sure if you enjoy the content that you subscribe, like and comment it really does make a huge difference and I am really grateful for your support.

THE NRL FINALS ARE HERE!
Josh Morris joins Chad Townsend for a huge preview of NRL Finals Week 1 as the race for the 2026 Premiership officially begins.We go through
EVERY Week 1 finals matchup, break down the key players and matchups, and give our tips for who we think will win.
FINALS WEEK 1:
- Rabbitohs vs Knights
- Warriors vs Dolphins
- Sharks vs Cowboys
- Panthers vs Roosters

Can the Panthers continue their incredible form?
Can the Warriors go all the way?
Are the Dolphins ready to make a deep finals run?
Can the Roosters bounce back without Sam Walker?
And can the Sharks overcome their late-season slump and beat the Cowboys at Allianz Stadium?

Plus, we get stuck into all the biggest NRL news heading into September — team selections, injuries, returning stars, Sam Walker's injury, the Sharks' finals venue controversy, the premiership contenders and much more.

And of course… WE'RE PUTTING OUR TIPS ON THE LINE.

Who are you tipping to win the 2026 NRL Premiership?

Let us know your Week 1 tips in the comments:

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Subscribe to The Chad Townsend YouTube channel for NRL news, analysis, tips, interviews, player stories and weekly rugby league podcasts.

IJoin BearBet today for all my footy tips and multis throughout the season:
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Join FANSCOOP for members only exclusive insights and access:
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MY WEBSITE:
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THE CHAD TOWNSEND SHOW PODCAST:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3EvFnF9...

HUDDLE CONNECT:
Huddle connect is an Aussie owned broadband provider delivering high performance internet speeds. Huddle Connect allows you to give up to $5 from your internet plan every month back to grass roots sports.
https://linktr.ee/huddleconnect

Contact:
Chad@chadtownsend.com.au

LEAVE A MESSAGE ON OUR VOICEMAIL TO GET ON THE SHOW:
https://www.speakpipe.com/thechadtownsendshow

Thanks for listening!

Please make sure if you enjoy the content that you subscribe, like and comment it really does make a huge difference and I am really grateful for your support.

CT

10 YEARS ON… WE'RE GOING BACK TO 2016. 🦈🏆
Wade Graham joins James Maloney and Chad Townsend on The Chad Townsend Show in collaboration with the Rugby League Journeyman to relive the greatest seasons in Cronulla Sharks history — the 2016 premiership.

Ten years after the Sharks finally ended a 50-year wait for their first premiership, we sit down and go through the season from the inside.From the start of the season, the incredible 15-game winning streak, the pressure of finals football, the infamous Canberra semi-final, the huge preliminary final against the Cowboys and, of course, the 2016 Grand Final against the Melbourne Storm.

Wade, Jimmy and Chaddy look back at what made that team so special, the personalities inside the dressing room, the moments that could have changed the season and what it was really like playing alongside legends like Paul Gallen, Michael Ennis, Andrew Fifita, Luke Lewis and Ben Barba.

Wade was instrumental throughout that 2016 season bringing leadership, toughness and a skillset that made him one of the games most valuable back rowers.
We revisit the Grand Final, the 14-12 win over Melbourne and the moment Cronulla finally became premiers after 50 years of waiting.

10 years on… it has gone so quick.If you like these videos please make sure you SUBSCRIBE!Join BearBet today for all my footy tips and multis throughout the season:
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MY WEBSITE:https://www.chadtownsend.com.au

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THE CHAD TOWNSEND SHOW PODCAST:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3EvFnF9...

HUDDLE CONNECT:
Huddle connect is an Aussie owned broadband provider delivering high performance internet speeds. Huddle Connect allows you to give up to $5 from your internet plan every month back to grass roots sports. https://linktr.ee/huddleconnect

Contact:
Chad@chadtownsend.com.au

LEAVE A MESSAGE ON OUR VOICEMAIL TO GET ON THE SHOW:

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Please make sure if you enjoy the content that you subscribe, like and comment it really does make a huge difference and I am really grateful for your support.

CT

WHO CAN WIN THE 2026 NRL PREMIERSHIP?
Round 27 is DONE and the NRL Finals are officially here!
Chad Townsend breaks down the biggest results, performances and talking points from the final round of the regular season — plus some early thoughts on what Mad Monday could look like for the teams already looking ahead to 2027.

The Panthers have claimed the MINOR PREMIERSHIP after a dominant win over the Wests Tigers, while the Warriors finished second after an incredible 31-30 thriller against Manly.
South Sydney put 50 points on the Roosters, the Dolphins survived a huge scare against the Titans, Canberra smashed the Cowboys, Melbourne finished their season with a last-second win over Cronulla and the Dragons finished their season with an incredible Tyrell Sloan field goal.Now the real question…

WHO CAN ACTUALLY WIN THE 2026 NRL PREMIERSHIP?

IN THIS EPISODE:
• Panthers claim the Minor Premiership
• Are Penrith now the team to beat?
• Warriors finish second after a crazy final round
• Can the Warriors win their first NRL Premiership?
• Souths smash the Roosters 50-20
• Are the Rabbitohs a genuine premiership threat?
• Dolphins finish the regular season with seven straight wins
• Coby Black's incredible Raiders debut
• Josh Papalii's emotional farewell
• Sharks' worrying form heading into the finals
• Melbourne Storm finish with a dramatic win
• What happens next for Cameron Munster and the Storm?
• Tyrell Sloan's incredible Dragons farewell
• What went wrong for the Bulldogs?
• What went wrong for the Broncos?
• The biggest winners and losers from Round 27
• Who can win the 2026 NRL Premiership?
• Mad Monday thoughts and the teams already planning for 2027

The Panthers and Warriors finished the regular season as the top two teams, while the full finals picture is now locked in.

LIKE | COMMENT | SUBSCRIBE

Subscribe to The Chad Townsend YouTube channel for NRL news, analysis, tips, interviews, player stories and weekly rugby league podcasts.

If you like these videos please make sure you SUBSCRIBE!Join BearBet today for all my footy tips and multis throughout the season:
https://www.bearbet.com.au/signup/ChadTownsend
Gamble Responsibly

Join FANSCOOP for members only exclusive insights and access:
https://www.fanscoop.tv/chadtownsend

MY WEBSITE:
https://www.chadtownsend.com.au

PLAYERS GOLF CLUB - SHOP HERE:
https://www.playersgolfclub.com.au

THE CHAD TOWNSEND SHOW PODCAST:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3EvFnF9...

HUDDLE CONNECT:
Huddle connect is an Aussie owned broadband provider delivering high performance internet speeds. Huddle Connect allows you to give up to $5 from your internet plan every month back to grass roots sports. https://linktr.ee/huddleconnect

Contact:
Chad@chadtownsend.com.au

LEAVE A MESSAGE ON OUR VOICEMAIL TO GET ON THE SHOW:
https://www.speakpipe.com/thechadtownsendshow

Thanks for LISTENING!

Please make sure if you enjoy the content that you subscribe, like and comment it really does make a huge difference and I am really grateful for your support.

CT