‘Non-negotiable for me': The crazy numbers that have Blayke Brailey eyeing off contract extension with the Sharks
Cronulla's fortunes have often been linked to his running game, and it's no surprise to see them back in the top eight and winning games with Brailey setting up four tries in his past two matches.
The man who never misses games has won the club's player of the year award in each of the past two seasons and would be high up on the leaderboard again in 2025.
The local junior still has another year to run on his contract but must be a top priority for the Sharks given other clubs would break the bank for a player with his speed, durability and toughness in the middle.
'When contracts come up, you can get a bit sidetracked and your form can dip,' he said, revealing he's left it up to his manager to sort out.
'I'm just trying not to worry about it. I know that if my footy does the talking, that's all I'm worried about. I'm more focused on winning the next few games and cementing our spot in the top eight.
'I love this club, I grew up here and I was there when Gal (club legend Paul Gallen) lifted the trophy in 2016.
'I've never even given any thought (to playing for another club). I grew up in the area and played footy on the hill here at Shark Park, so this place is home. Hopefully, the club sees that as well.'
Brailey ran for 78m in the win over the Dolphins and backed it up with a season-high 93m against the Roosters on Friday night to go with 45 tackles.
He'd only run for 40m in one of his first 13 games of the season, but he's done it in each of his past five matches to go with five line breaks.
'I feel like I'm in a really good space at the minute with my defence and my running game, which is probably been the one thing that's everyone's noticed,' he said.
'I'm seeing the game really clearly and it makes the game a lot more enjoyable when I'm not just tackling the whole game.
'It's been a really good period for me and hopefully I can continue that going forward.'
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon was glad that other people were noticing how good Brailey is, while skipper Cam McInnes – who used to be a hooker before he moved to lock – spoke highly of what Brailey has brought to the club.
'If I played hooker and he plays hooker, then I didn't play hooker,' he said.
'I'm nowhere near that level of capability, so we're lucky to have him.'
An incredible run from Blayke Brailey! ðŸ'¥ pic.twitter.com/QpFRdsf6ak
— NRL (@NRL) July 18, 2025
Brailey's running game is only possible if the forwards are winning the ruck, and it's vital for him to run amok to take pressure off the halves who have the time and space to finish off the attacking raids.
There used to be a weekly obsession over his running numbers given Cronulla's winning percentage was linked to his darts from dummy-half, with Brailey declaring it a 'non-negotiable' for him to run, run and run again.
'It does slow down at times and I can see it unfolding and see myself running before it even happens. That's what's happening at the moment,' he said.
'I'm pretty happy with the patch I'm in, and hopefully I can run more, attack more and give the team whatever it needs to win.
'Fitzy always encourages me to run, and I'm at the point now in my game where if I don't run, I'm not happy.
'It's working out well for us that when I do run, we get on the front foot and it makes our side flow a lot better.
'I've put a lot of pressure on myself to run and it's a non-negotiable for me. I know if I don't run that I'll be pretty cranky and upset for the week.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Australia Boomers defeat South Korea 97–61 in Asian Cup
With a new coach, captain and squad, the Boomers have begun their Asian Cup title defence with victory. Australia preserved its unbeaten record in the Asian Cup with a resounding 97–61 win over South Korea to begin its 2025 campaign in promising fashion in Jeddah. A new dawn beckoned at the King Abdullah Stadium under Boomers mentor Adam Caporn, the former assistant to Brian Goorjian, who led the team at the Paris Olympics. Australia has never been beaten in the competition since inclusion in 2017, so all eyes were on Caporn and his young brigade, which has an average age of just 24. There was plenty to like in Caporn's first match in charge as the reigning champions sent an ominous message to their Asian Cup rivals. Tough defence and impressive three-point shooting were the cornerstones of a convincing victory. Player of the match Jack McVeigh led the scoring with 20 points, with contributions also from Jaylin Galloway (12) and William "Davo" Hickey (11). Captained by Will Magnay, the Boomers' early aggression caught the Koreans napping with Xavier Cookes landing the first basket in the opening seconds. Then moments later, Galloway added the first three-pointer to signal Australia's intent, with the shell-shocked Koreans forced into taking an early timeout with the score just 7–0. But it helped the Asians regroup with former Illawarra Hawks wing Hjungjung Lee leading their fightback. Lee (20 points) was a constant threat as they ended the first quarter eight behind with the score 25–17. But it was the second quarter that would have pleased Caporn as his charges took control of the contest. The Boomers opened up a match-defining 17-point gap to lead 48–31, the margin largely constructed by resilient defence and brilliant three-point shooting from McVeigh. McVeigh, who had 15 points alone in the first half, found his range from outside the circle as Australia were white-hot (62 per cent) from the three-point line as opposed to the Koreans' four from 19 attempts in the first half. The Boomers' athleticism eventually wore down South Korea and entered the final quarter 68–47 in front. For good measure, Caporn then threw on 17-year-old rising star Dash Daniels, the younger brother of NBA star Dyson. It was a glimpse into the future as Australia builds towards the 2027 World Cup in Jeddah and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the youngster did not disappoint. Next up for the Boomers is Lebanon on Saturday. AAP
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Champion jockey Glen Boss pays tribute to semi-retired legendary trainer Lee Freedman
Twenty years after Lee Freedman's famous Melbourne Cup quote, champion jockey Glen Boss revealed he believed the legendary trainer's 'find the smallest child' remark was completely off the cuff. Shortly after the great mare Makybe Diva had won a record third straight Melbourne Cup carrying 58kg at Flemington, Freedman came up with the line that will be forever etched in the history of the race that stops a nation. 'Go out and find the smallest child here because that child might be the only person who lives long enough to see something like this again,' Freedman said at the time. For Boss, the clever comment encapsulated the trainer's razor-sharp wit and intelligence that helped him jag 124 Group 1s and cemented his standing as a household name in Australia. , opting not to renew his trainer's licence for the new racing season. He is now solely the manager of his Gold Coast stable, which has been handed over to his younger brother and Sydney trainer Michael Freedman. Boss chatted to Racenet this week about the profound effect that Lee Freedman and his brothers Anthony, Richard and Michael had on his illustrious career which ended in 2021. Hall of Fame trainer Freedman gave Boss his big break in 1995 on Flying Spur, who the Queenslander rode to victory in the Golden Slipper just a few days after Jim Cassidy's licence had been disqualified due to the 'jockey tapes' scandal. 'Until you sit back and look at his record, you forget how great this bloke was,' Boss said from South Africa, where the retired hoop is holidaying with his family. 'His sense of timing was always good. 'I mean that pivotal moment when the mare (Makybe Diva) won in the Cup in 2005 and he said that line 'go find the smallest child', those sort of things go down in history. 'I don't think he scripted that, I think it came straight out of his mouth. 'I remember seeing Lee around parties and things like that and he's a funny guy with a great sense of humour. 'He's great company and super intelligent to talk to. Not that many people would've got to see the fun side of Lee.' Lee Freedman won five Melbourne Cups, with Boss on board for two of those victories on Makybe Diva in 2004 and 2005, plus four Caulfield Cups, four Golden Slippers and two Cox Plates. 'Having been around him and observed him a fair bit, Lee has an incredible eye for detail which never ceases to amaze me,' said the 55-year-old Boss, who won 90 Group 1s. 'He always knew exactly where his horses were and how to push the button at the right time. 'It'd amaze me how he'd just look at a horse and say 'yep, we're ready now' or he'd say 'nup, we need to do one more thing'. 'He was never set to a pattern with a horse. He'd change his mind on the fly and he had unbelievable instincts.' As the driving force behind the famous Freedman Brothers Incorporated (FBI), Lee played a key role in bringing then-teenage apprentice jockey Damien Oliver from Perth to Melbourne in 1990 when he won the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas on Centro for the powerful stable. Oliver and the Freedmans combined for a superb 24 elite-level victories in the 1990s, including champion stayer Doriemus winning the Melbourne Cup-Caulfield Cup double in 1995. 'They played a big part in getting me over to Melbourne and gave me fantastic opportunities as a young apprentice,' said Oliver, who won an Australian record 129 Group 1s. 'Lee and all the brothers were very ambitious and that sort of shone through to me. 'I was a bit like that anyway but they really brought that side out of me.'
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Developer Joe Bartolo says Moonee Valley redevelopment will future-proof racetrack
Developer and racing enthusiast Joe Bartolo has personal and professional interests to ensure The Valley transformation is successful. Symal Group, founded by managing director Bartolo, won a circa $70m contract in June through an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process to complete the civil and infrastructure works. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The Symal works, starting after the Cox Plate on October 25, includes bulk earthworks, the full track reconstruction, upgraded underpasses, landscaping and lighting, before a May 2027 target. Bartolo, introduced to the racing through cousin and former jockey Aaron Spiteri, praised The Valley board and administration for its 'sustainable' vision to future-proof the entire precinct. 'You often do think about all the tradition (at The Valley) and the past but you can't help but look to the future and what this is going to bring to the west of Melbourne and to racing,' Bartolo said. 'I think what they're doing is unbelievable, an amazing change for Moonee Valley and puts the club in position for future growth and the next 40-50 years. 'It's sustainable with all the other infrastructure there as well, it's a really good revenue stream to ensure The Valley is around forever … infrastructure to stand the test of time and provide forever.' Bartolo has strong industry links through now US-based real estate agent cousin Spiteri, including dual Melbourne Cup-winning jockey and friend Mark Zahra and prominent owner Rupert Legh. Bartolo owned a share in Melbourne Cup runner-up Emissary, ironically defeated by Zahra on Gold Trip in 2022. The current crop includes Future History, a JRA Cup winner at The Valley, Theblade and Airman. 'The best for us was Emissary, running second in the Cup was pretty exciting and I thought we had a chance of winning that, watching that day,' Bartolo laughed. 'Nice of ol' Mark on Gold Trip … we ran up the butt of Gold Trip and lost all momentum … it was such an amazing feeling to even come second, so imagine how the owners of Gold Trip felt.' While no longer on the tools, Bartolo, who started Symal as a small landscaping business with a ute, wheelbarrow and shovel borrowed from his father in 2001, has kept close tabs on The Valley project. 'Projects of significance you always keep an eye on,' Bartolo said. • Laurie eyes spring carnival success with Group 1 star 'Always trying to understand what's happening, where they're going and what's going on, especially with an interest in racing as well. 'Sporting precincts in general is a big part of what Symal do, we understand the works required and we'll be finishing in May 2027 … the works will be completed from our part. 'The plan for us is always beating the works … we build major infrastructure throughout the country and got very tight time constraints to get projects completed, and we just don't miss those targets. 'It's very important to hit what we say we're going to hit.' Symal, an employer of more than 1400 people, joined the Australian Stock Exchange last year.
