Cronulla halfback Chad Townsend claims his confidence never suffered after his NRL qualifying-finals sacking, despite disagreeing with coach Shane Flanagans decision to hook him during the win over Canberra.Townsend bounced back from that season low in fine style on Friday night, starring in the Sharks preliminary-final win over defending premiers North Queensland.The Sharks junior scored one first-half try and laid on another after the break to put the nightmare of his effort against the Raiders well behind him.A couple of people have spoken about what happened in Canberra, Townsend said.It wasnt about me in Canberra - it was about the team.We got a good win. I didnt agree with what happened about being taken off but I respect Flanno and I respect the decision he had to make.At the time, I was like, whats going on?Im just thankful my boys supported me. Throughout the last couple of weeks, Ive had outstanding support from not only the players and coaching staff but past players have reached out.After that, it was about moving on. You have to take it as a man. Its a mans game. Sometimes, things dont go your way. Its about how you respond. Thats all I focused in on.Townsend said he focused on the form he had shown through much of 2016 in the lead-up to the clash with the Cowboys.I thought about the things Id done this year, he said.My preparation and work ethic hasnt changed. Ive tried to focus in on that. It was about backing myself, knowing that Ive put in the work and the time to put in a good performance. Ive had plenty of support from the boys in the locker room and coaching staff.Townsend will head into Sunday weeks grand final full of confidence.Im very pleased I could put in a performance I know I can do.For me, it was about getting back to basics. Im not only happy how Ive responded, its the greatest bunch of boys. It was about believing about myself and what Ive done. I backed myself and Ive done that since day one.Townsends halves partner James Maloney never doubted he would bounce back.I dont know if it was a tough period. He had one game that wasnt perfect; I dont think it was as terrible as everyone was saying, Maloney said.We knew, hes been outstanding for us all year so I had every faith he was going to come back and do the job. Hes very important to this side and, no doubt, hes got another big 80 in him. Custom Chipper Jones Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Custom Braves T-shirts . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. http://www.custombravesjersey.com/custom-hank-aaron-jersey-large-347z.html . Carey Price didnt, but he still came out on top against one of his rivals for the No. 1 job at the Sochi Games. 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He left early in the loss to Minnesota two weeks ago with a concussion and returned last week only to leave in the first quarter with a forearm injury.But hes far from the only member of the secondary struggling to stay on the field. Houston has been without its other starting cornerback, Kareem Jackson, for the last two weeks because of a hamstring injury.Joseph and Jackson returned to practice on Wednesday, but the Texans still have several other players, including starting strong safety Quintin Demps and backup cornerback Kevin Johnson, who remain out. Demps missed the last game with a leg injury and his status is uncertain for Mondays game at Denver and Johnson, a first-round draft pick in 2015, is out indefinitely with a broken foot. They placed backup safety K.J. Dillon on the injured reserve on Wednesday with a knee injury.Joseph, who is in his 11th NFL season, has tried to help steady the group throughout all the changes.Just talk to guys constantly about whatever role they are going to be playing or just try to help them out, get them up to speed with the playbook or just a game plan, he said.Though Johnson wasnt starting, he was getting a lot of playing time and had started to be a key member of the secondary in his second season with 25 tackles.I thought hed played real well, coach Bill OBrien said.dddddddddddd He tackled well. He covered well. Like I always say, injuries happen. Its unfortunate when they happen to your best players, but they do and the next guys have to step up. Weve done that in many regards.Thats something the Texans have done all season, especially this defense in moving on without Watt, last years NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Houston has won two of three games since the defensive end was placed on the injured reserve with a back injury.I think we have responded well, Joseph said. Obviously, losing a guy like him is a big blow. I think guys have done a great job of stepping up in other areas and helping out. Its going to be all hands on deck type of mentality.On Monday they will face a Denver team that has struggled in the passing game and ranks 27th in the league by averaging just 224.8 yards. Despite those numbers, the Texans know they will have to play well to contain quarterback Trevor Siemian.Hes a good quarterback, safety A.J. Bouye said. We look at who he targets the most. Everybody in the NFL, if youre a quarterback and youre starting, you know that youre a good quarterback.Hes got two good targets in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, who have combined for 67 receptions for 829 yards and six touchdowns this season.They got weapons on the outside, at the tight end position, obviously, a well-coached team, Joseph said. They have a great running game, also. I think its going to keep us honest in all areas.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '