Young Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey has extended his time at the Cronulla club after signing a new three year deal.
The contract extension will see 20-year-old local product, who made his NRL debut alongside brother Jayden in the Sharks opening round match against the Knights, remain at the club until at least the end of the 2022 season.
Attracting interest from a number of other NRL clubs, Brailey was always keen to remain in Cronulla colours.
“I’m really excited,” Brailey said. “I’m a local junior, I always wanted to be here. Cronulla is my home, I live two minutes down the road, I always wanted to stay.”
The signature of Brailey is a coup for the Sharks who have put a lot of time, effort and resources into their Academy system and into developing local talent, with Bronson Xerri, Kyle Flanagan, Brailey’s older brother Jayden and Thursday night’s debutant Will Kennedy amongst those to progress through the NRL squad.
A standout performer in the Sharks junior rep system before staring for the Sharks Holden Cup, team coached by John Morris, the current NRL Head Coach was thrilled to have Brailey on board for another three years.
“It’s exciting news for us to be able to hang onto Blayke,” Morris said. “He’s a local kid, he’s come through our system from when he was a 13-year-old and while he is already playing in the NRL he is a vital part of our building for the future.”
The new deal is set to see the Brailey brothers remain together through until at least the end of 2020, with the pair combining effectively through the opening six rounds of the current season.
Sharks media caught up with Brailey as he put pen to paper on his new deal. See our Sharks media interview.
