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First look: Hookers

In signing a new four-year deal to play at the Cronulla Club, incoming coach has put plenty of faith in Blayke Brailey to fill the hooking role, not just in 2022 but into the future.

Brailey played all 24 games for the Sharks in 2021, after missing just one match the year previous, showing toughness to go with his silky distribution, skill and flawless tackling technique.

“He’s incredibly resilient. He got hurt (ankle syndesmosis) at the back-end of season 2020 and played pretty much every game in 2021,” Coach Craig Fitzgibbon said of Brailey in an interview with the Daily Telegraph. “His skills are obvious, but his toughness shouldn’t be underestimated.”

Thrust into the position to start 2020 following the departure of his brother Jayden at the end of the 2019 season, Brailey has been somewhat of a one-man band ever since, with utility players such as Connor Tracey and Braydon Trindall covering for the local Cronulla junior either when he needed a break or on the rare occasion when he was missing due to injury.

Both Tracey and Trindall are in the Sharks squad but with ambition to lock down a regular spot elsewhere in the 17, leaving the likes of Jayden Berrell, another utility option in Lachie Miller, or the extremely capable Cameron McInnes to step in when needed.

Berrell impressed enough with his Queensland Cup form in 2021 to secure a top 30 contract at the Sharks this season, with his dummy half running, energy and support play a feature of his game.

While as for Miller, the Rugby Sevens convert has trained at fullback, in the halves as well as at hooker during the summer and could jag a bench spot as a utility option at some point during 2022.

Then there is McInnes, who while the majority of his NRL career has been spent in the nine jersey, the former Dragons skipper and NSW Origin squad member has been brought to the Sharks as a running lock forward, albeit someone to perhaps take the load off Brailey’s shoulders when and where necessary. 

“Blayke will play nine and Cam can help out there if needed,” Fitzgibbon declared. “We want Blayke’s attributes to shine and if he needs a breather from time to time, we’ve got Cameron there and Jayden Berrell also to do that. He’s also been very impressive.”

Brailey is perhaps a standout as Cronulla’s hooker for the season ahead, but with depth in the position, the first time in a few years they have been able to say that, and the Sharks have a strong number nine to complement the quality spine players on their 2022 roster.

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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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