It’s been a big few days for Kade Dykes, son of former Sharks star Adam, for more than one reason.
A standout for the competition-leading Newtown Jets in 2022, with the injury to Will Kennedy, Dykes has been promoted to make his NRL debut this weekend, in front of a sell out crowd and on Sharks ‘Old Boys’ Day with over 100 ex-Sharks players expected to be in attendance.
However, while Saturday shapes as an exciting occasion, the 20-year-old local junior has also signed a new two-year contract in tying him to the Cronulla club until at least the end of the 2024 season.
The promotion to the top grade and the subsequent contract extension comes during a breakout season for the young fullback, who has consistently been amongst the best for the high-flying Jets in 2022.
In 13 Knock-On Effect NSW Cup games for Newtown the De La Salle Caringbah junior has scored eight tries, while also producing nine try assists in playing a big part in their success so far this season.
Dykes, who is set to follow his father Adam and grandfather John in becoming a third generation Sharks first grade player, reportedly knocked back the advances of a handful of other NRL clubs before re-signing with the Sharks.
In becoming Shark #554, Dykes joins the likes of young forwards Jesse Colquhoun and Tom Hazelton in making his NRL debut while also committing his immediate future to the Cronulla club.
Dykes’s dad Adam, the 300th Sharks first grade player who debuted as an 18-year-old in 1995, played 183 first grade matches for the Club, while John (#112) was a member of the Sharks team during the mid-1970’s, before later becoming a lower grade coach.
