LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
New details have surfaced about the rift between former Cronulla Sharks teammates Chad Townsend and Paul Gallen, shedding light on their ongoing feud.
The Daily Telegraph's Phil Rothfield has unveiled the origins of their falling out, which traces back to 2022 when Townsend snubbed Gallen's handshake and declined to be interviewed after a Cowboys match.
According to Rothfield, Townsend was miffed by Gallen's criticisms of the struggling Cowboys, particularly given the team's unexpected performance against predictions of finishing at the bottom of the ladder.
The tension between the two players has only grown since, with Townsend, now a member of the Sydney Roosters, feeling irked by the media's scrutiny, not just from his former captain.
It seems like these ex-teammates are still tackling their differences head-on, with no end in sight to their clash.
The drama continues to play out like a gripping match, with Townsend and Gallen locked in a fierce battle both on and off the field.
Time will tell if they can put aside their differences and come together once more, just like they did in their glory days as 2016 premiership winners.