Brailey to lead Sharks into finals as extension looms
Scott Bailey |
Blayke Brailey has revealed he is close to finalising an extension with Cronulla, with the ironman hooker handed the honour of leading the Sharks’ premiership assault.
Brailey will replace Cameron McInnes as Cronulla’s captain for Sunday’s clash with Newcastle, after the Sharks veteran ruptured his ACL a fortnight ago.
Wins in the last two rounds could secure Cronulla a top-four spot, if Brisbane and the Warriors both suffer at least one loss each over the next fortnight.
Already contracted until the end of 2026, negotiations between Brailey and the Sharks hit a snag last month.
Cronulla had offered the local junior a three-year extension, while Brailey’s management had sought an upgraded five-year deal for the hooker.
AAP understands the parties have now found middle ground, which is likely to result in a four-year deal that would keep Brailey at Cronulla until the end of 2030.
Finer details of the deal are unlikely to be locked in until after the season, allowing Brailey to focus on football while in career-best form.
“It’s definitely getting close, which is great,” Brailey said on Tuesday.
“We obviously wanted to move closer and close that gap. I know it definitely is close and when that day comes, I’m going to be super excited.
“It’s no secret how I feel about this place. And I know the club knows how I feel about the future here and where I want to be.”
Brailey revealed he had been left at ease after speaking with his father Glenn, who heads up Cronulla’s development and pathways.
“He knows how the game works and behind the scenes work and he just explained it all to me,” Brailey said.
“He’s just up front and honest, which I appreciate and I love to hear.
“But his main message was just keep playing how you’re playing and all that stuff will take care of itself.”
Cronulla are also edging closer to a new deal for winger Sam Stonestreet, while the club still hopes to retain fellow back Will Kennedy and Mawene Hiroti.
Jesse Colquhoun will take on McInnes’s job at lock for the Sharks, while Brailey is eying off his own shot at history in leading Cronulla into the finals.
“I’ve been lucky enough to come through and Gal was still captain when I debuted and then Wade (Graham), Dale (Finucane) and Cam,” Brailey said..
“I’ve had a load of experience there of players at the top of their game and arguably some of the best captains at any club.
“So I’ve taken a lot of knowledge from them and while I’m not them, I can take a little bit and put my own twist on things.”
Brailey was in the stands and felt the impact of Cronulla’s maiden premiership nine years ago.
“I was there in 2016 and I know how the community responded,” he said. “I want that feeling more than anything.
“I’ve dreamt about it, I’ve visualised it and that’s no doubt my focus for the year. Anything less than that, I’ll always be pretty disappointed.”
AAP
