In adding to the Sharks recent signing news, star fullback Will Kennedy has extended his time at the Sharks by putting pen to paper on a new two-year contract.
The Porter-Gallen Medallist as the club’s best in 2021 and a consistent and quality performer at the NRL level over the past three years, Kennedy’s new deal will see him remain at the Sharks until at least the end of the 2025 season.
Complementing the recent retention of teammates Nicho Hynes, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Siosifa Talakai, Jesse Ramien and youngster Sam Stonestreet, Kennedy was looking forward to the remainder of 2023 and to playing his part in any future success at the Sharks.
“I’ve been here since my SG Ball days and I love the club, the culture we have here and have close relationships with the players here at the Sharks,” Kennedy said. “With the playing group we have and under the coaching of Fitzy (Craig Fitzgibbon), Steve Price, Josh Hannay and DJ (Daniel Holdsworth) I think we are building something special here and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
An integral member of the Sharks backline, with Kennedy’s skills complementing the abilities of those around him, coach Craig Fitzgibbon was pleased to have secured the services of the exciting and ever-reliable fullback.
“Will is a player who works very hard at his game and his continued improvement and development is evidence of that,” Fitzgibbon said. “He has come through our pathways, winning an SG Ball and NSW Cup competition along the way and is a valuable member of our team, trusted by his teammates and it is definitely a boost that he has re-signed and made the decision to remain at the Club for a further two years.”
After arriving in the Sutherland Shire as an unheralded teenager, Kennedy earned a spot in the Sharks junior representative teams, playing a role in the State and National title success of Cronulla’s under-18 SG Ball team in 2015.
Progressing through the ranks at the Sharks, the Bathurst born 25-year-old played in the NYC under-20’s competition, before graduating to the senior ranks, his progression to the NRL highlighted by the success of the Newtown Jets in 2019, Kennedy scoring the game-winning try after the fulltime siren in his team’s NSW Cup Grand Final victory over Wentworthville.
Debuting in the NRL that same year in a round six match against the Panthers, Kennedy has gone on to make 67 top grade appearances, scoring 30 tries, while representing the Indigenous All Stars in 2022.
The new contract for Kennedy means the current Cronulla backline, along with young up and comers Stonestreet, Kade Dykes and Kayal Iro have committed to the Sharks for 2024 and beyond.
