The Warriors want to lure premiership-winning halfback Chad Townsend out of Cronulla immediately.
In a developing story, the surprise mid-season move would see Townsend play the remainder of this season with the Warriors — where he formerly played in 2014-2015 — before linking with the Cowboys on a three-year deal from 2022.
The Warriors have first-choice half Chanel Harris-Tevita (pectoral) and utility option Paul Turner (shoulder) out for the season.
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Chad Townsend is a mid-season signing target for the Warriros. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
Warriors coach Nathan Brown has personally spoken to Townsend, 30, about linking with the club.
Townsend has spent the past two weeks playing for the Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup with Sharks coach Josh Hannay preferring Matt Moylan and Shaun Johnson as the club’s starting halves in first grade.
Moylan and Johnson have helped conjure four straight wins for the Sharks since being selected as a combination.
Chad Townsend has been played reserve grade for the Newtown Jets. Picture: Tim Hunter.
A Cronulla local junior, Townsend’s preference is to finish the season at the Sharks, but not at the cost of finishing in reserve grade with the club that he won a premiership with in 2016.
The Warriors believe the experience and kicking-game of Townsend would be a perfect foil for five-eighth Kodi Nikorima, while also keeping the club’s finals hopes alive.
The Sharks are believed to be weighing-up the approach with the Warriors offering to pay the remainder of Townsend’s salary of around $200,000.