Sharks Chad Townsend faces five-week suspension for Kalyn Ponga shoulder charge
Cronulla Sharks star Chad Townsend is looking at a lengthy stint on the sidelines after being charged with a grade three shoulder charge on Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga.
In what was supposed to be a triumphant return from a five-week injury hiatus on Friday night, Townsend became the third player this year to be sent directly from the field during his side's 38-10 loss to Newcastle.
Townsend can accept a three-week ban if he takes up an early guilty plea or he can challenge the charge, but risks a five-week suspension if unsuccessful.
Chad Townsend Getty/Fox
In other charges, Cronulla captain Wade Graham was hit with a grade two dangerous throw following a lifting tackle on Mason Lino.
Graham faces a three-week ban but can accept just a two-week suspension with an early guilty plea.
Toby Rudolf who was also involved in the tackle can avoid a suspension by accepting an early plea for a grade one dangerous throw.
"Absolute overreaction," Gallen told Nine's Friday Night Knockoff.
"It was a quick tap taken by Ponga, the whistle went, they tried to stop – Chad couldn't stop his momentum.
"I said probably 10 in the bin, but I thought it was an absolute overreaction to send him off.
"I think he will be in trouble for that (shoulder charge), but I just think it was an overreaction."
