Young lock Billy Magoulias has signed a two-year contract extension that will see him remain at the Sharks at least until the end of the 2021 season.
A local product who has comes through the Sharks system, playing Matthews Cup, SG Ball and then in the Under-20’s before making the step up to the senior ranks, Magoulias’s signing is another positive endorsement for the direction in which the Club is heading.
Despite not yet having made his NRL debut, Magoulias is one of the bright young stars coming through the ranks, with coach John Morris pleased he has committed his immediate playing future to the Sharks.
“Billy has been a part of our club, our junior academy system, since he was 14-15 years old,” Morris said. “He has developed into a very good player, someone I can see becoming a quality NRL player into the future.
“He had some options and offers from other clubs, but I’m thrilled he has chosen to follow the path of a number of our local products and to re-sign with us here at the Sharks.”
Further to Morris’s point, Magoulias joins the likes of fellow local boys in Bronson Xerri and Blayke Brailey, as well as emerging young stars in Jack Williams and Braden Hamlin-Uele, who have recently agreed to extend their time at the Cronulla club.
Primarily a lock but skilled and versatile enough to play at hooker or in the halves, Magoulias was happy to bide his time, knowing hard work would eventually enable him to achieve his goals of a start in the top grade and a career in the NRL.
“I look at it as a development process. I’m just trying to get better every day and my opportunity will come and when it comes, I’ll be ready,” Magoulias said.
“This is a club that wants to win competitions and I want to be a part of that in the future. That’s why I’ve committed.”
Currently a member of the Sharks top 30 and the NRL training group, Magoulias has regularly been listed in the preliminary 21-man squad, while travelling to Brisbane as 18th man for the round seven game against the Broncos, indicating his NRL debut isn’t too far away.
Named in the 2017 NYC Team of the Year, which included Blayke Brailey, Briton Nikora, Sione Katoa and Kyle Flanagan, while also selected in the 2015 NSW Under 18's and 2017 Under 20’s Origin sides, Magoulias has played through the 2019 season for the Sharks NSWRL partner club the Newtown Jets.
After a slow start to the year, the Jets have won five and drawn one in their last six matches to push up into the top eight in the Canterbury Cup competition.
Upon signing his contract, the 22-year-old Magoulias spoke to Sharks TV about his new deal and his goals and aspirations for the future.
