Latest news with #hooker
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brailey can only see himself running in Sharks colours
In-form hooker Blayke Brailey says can't imagine leaving Cronulla with the Sharks opening talks to lock down the dummy-half on a long-term deal. The best running hooker in the NRL over the past two months, Brailey has become one of the most important cogs in Cronulla's title hopes. Off contract at the end of the season, the 26-year-old would likely become a target for several clubs if a deal is not done before November 1. But the Sharks have begun negotiations, with Brailey also keen to remain with the club he debuted for in 2019. "I have never thought about (playing against Cronulla)," Brailey said. "I love this club, I love this area. I grew up here. I was there when Gal lifted the trophy in 2016 and I want to be back there. "I played on the family hill here at Shark Park. To me this place is home and hopefully the club sees that too. This is definitely home for me." Back in the top eight after Friday's win over the Sydney Roosters, Cronulla can take another step towards finals on Saturday against a struggling South Sydney. Brailey's running game out of dummy-half has become one of the most obvious talking points about the Sharks this season. It was a well-worn statistic last season that the Sharks won 87 per cent of games in which Brailey ran 30 metres or more, compared to 27 per cent when he ran less. In the past five games, he has averaged 67 metres, getting Cronulla on the front foot and setting up two tries in each of the Sharks' last two wins. An incredible run from Blayke Brailey! 🔥 — NRL (@NRL) July 18, 2025 "I have put a lot more pressure on myself to run, it is a non-negotiable for me now," Brailey said. "It is obviously working well for us when I do run we get on the front foot and it does make our side flow a bit better." Brailey said the change in mindset had left him in a purple patch, where it also became more obvious for him to spot the best times to take off. "It does slow down at times. I can see it unfolding and I can see myself running before it even happens," he said. "That's what's happening at the moment ... I am seeing the game a lot more clearly."
News.com.au
21-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Non-negotiable for me': The crazy numbers that have Blayke Brailey eyeing off contract extension with the Sharks
Blayke Brailey isn't focusing on a contract extension because he fears it could affect his scorching form, but the Sharks hooker can't see himself elsewhere with the dynamic runner playing better than he ever has. 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'¥ — 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.'
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'End of story': Daley urged to pick Cronulla player as long-term option for NSW
Blayke Brailey has established himself as the in-form hooker in the NRL, with many calling for the Cronulla Sharks player to be given more State of Origin consideration in 2026. Brailey starred again on Friday night as the Sharks beat the Roosters 31-18, setting up two tries with a line-break and line-break assist. Over the last five games since being told by coach Craig Fitzgibbon to run the ball more, the 26-year-old has a try, five try assists, four line-breaks and three line-break assists. He also regularly tops the tackle count and averages over 45 per game. Speaking after Friday night's win, Fiztgibbon said Brailey deserves more recognition. "I hope people are saying (he's the form hooker of the NRL), it feels like it," the Sharks coach said in his press conference. "He has been our player of the year the last two years, we feel like he is consistent. But it's a nice he's getting some acknowledgement. The most important thing about it is what he is doing for our halves. The spine are starting to organise and get that better. "I just think he's underestimated, or has been, and now people are onto it. We have been playing far stronger footy in the past few years and no-one has noticed him. He's obviously stepped up and has added to his game. I think that's a nice compliment for a kid who has busted his backside for 120 games straight." Blake Brailey could be NSW Origin hooker in 2026 Brailey has previously been selected in emerging player squads for NSW in State of Origin, but never picked to take the next step into the representative arena. He was invited to a meeting with Blues coach Michael Maguire before the 2024 series, but missed out on the No.9 jersey to Reece Robson. Maguire preferred Robson due to his defence, and it proved the right call as the Blues won that series. But the Cowboys hooker failed to fire in 2025, and made a number of costly mistakes in NSW's loss in the Game 3 decider. With Robson's spot anything but secure for the 2026 series, many are calling for Brailey to get the nod. The Sharks hooker has one of the best running games of all No.9s in the competition, and has improved in defence in the last two seasons. RELATED: 'Unfair' family detail as Andrew Johns makes unexpected career call Ivan Cleary's genius laid bare after call to axe Panthers Test player Latrell Mitchell spotted in sad post-match moment amid Souths low One person wrote on social media on Friday night: "Blayke Brailey would be excellent as the NSW #9. Plays 80 minutes and don't need to waste a bench spot to replace him." Another added: "Blayke Brailey should be the NSW 9 next season, end of story." Others have suggested he should be picked in the Kangaroos squad for the end-of-season Ashes tour in England. "How Brailey wasn't in Origin is beyond me. Should go on the Kangaroo tour," one person wrote. While another commented: "It's a crime Brailey wasn't in the NSW squad for game 3."
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ospreys sign Cardiff hooker Daniel
Cardiff hooker Efan Daniel has joined Ospreys ahead of the 2025-26 made 24 appearances during his time with Cardiff and has played for Wales at Under-20 22-year-old was called up to Wales' senior squad that toured Australia last summer and featured as a replacement against Queensland Reds."The boys and coaches have been great since I got here and have all made me feel welcome, it's like I've been here for a few years instead of a couple weeks," Daniel said."The Ospreys were the team I watched the most growing up, so I'm looking forward to putting on the black jersey and making an impact wherever I can."Ospreys head coach Mark Jones said Daniel was a player he had long admired and said: "It's exciting to have him as part of our setup."We've got a good blend of youth and experience at hooker which is highly important with it being such a specialised position."We feel we're in a really strong position in our front row now and set up well for the season ahead."
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dylan Brown cops brutal reality check about NRL role after surprise call from Eels
Greg Alexander says Dylan Brown's shock switch from five-eighth to hooker has signalled the beginning of the end of his playmaking days at Parramatta. Coach Jason Ryles made the surprise call before Sunday's loss against four-time defending premiers Penrith to shift the Newcastle-bound Brown to hooker and play youngster Joash Papalii in the halves instead, despite naming the Kiwi Test star at No.6. Brown is set to join Newcastle next season after signing a 10-year, $13 million deal and with the 15th-placed Eels little chance to play finals footy this season, Ryles has decided to turn his attentions to the future. And as far as Alexander is concerned, that means Brown has likely played his last game as Parramatta's starting five-eighth, with the league great backing the move to give Papalii a chance to prove he can be Mitch Moses' long-term halves partner. 'It's very odd,' Alexander said on SEN radio on Monday. 'Jason Ryles is looking to the future. The Eels are not going to figure in finals. Brown is not part of the future and you're now at a stage where you look back on the season." Alexander questioned whether the Knights may actually be having second thoughts on their mega-money move to bring Brown to the club next season after his recent performances for the Eels. And he said the fact Ryles replaced the Kiwi star in the first half and only brought him back on in the dying stages of Sunday's 32-10 defeat to Penrith, suggested Brown was no longer in the coach's starting team plans. RELATED: Laurie Daley's worrying call as glaring NSW Origin mistake exposed Nathan Cleary lifts the lid on father Ivan's act after heartbreak Sam Walker's future cast into doubt after news about father and uncle 'For Brown, has he done anything? Is he doing things during the game that are likely to win you a game? I'd say not," Alexander said about Brown's recent form. "Playing the Dragons a fortnight ago, Newcastle would be watching this and thinking '(is) that our man?' 'The Eels don't have a five-eighth for next year and they want to see Joash Papalii can handle it. After taking Brown off 30 minutes in and (Ryles) not putting him back on until the last five minutes when the game was lost, I think we know where Dylan Brown stands now... his time at the Eels is done in terms of playing at six.' With Moses out injured for much of the season, many expected Brown to stand up in the halfback's absence and lead the Eels as their chief playmaker. That hasn't been the case though, with rookie fullback Isaiah Iongi seemingly taking on that mantle and being a standout for Parramatta in his first season at the club. And after Sunday's defeat to Penrith, Ryles has since confirmed that Papalii will get another shot at the No.6 role for next weekend's clash with the ladder-leading Raiders. But with first-choice hooker Ryley Smith returning from suspension to share dummy-half duties with mid-season recruit Tallyn Da Silva, it raises further question marks over Brown's role for the rest of the season. "(Papalii) will get the first opportunity and then we'll just see what it looks like going forward," Ryles said. He's going to take a little bit of time to find his way; I think he's five or six games in. We'll just let him keep working on his game and let that keep evolving." The Eels coach says Brown understands the situation though and has handled his demotion well. "Whilst he's still here, he's happy to do what's best for the team. It's a good reflection of his character," Parramatta's coach said about the Kiwi playmaker.
