‘Means everything’: Local ironman Brailey celebrates 150 games

It was only a decade ago that Blayke Brailey lifted the SG Ball trophy as a budding Sharks hooker, dreaming of one day representing the club at NRL level.

In what seems like the blink of an eye, the local boy made good will bring up the 150th first-grade match of a career characterised by grit, endurance and consistency against the Warriors at Sharks Stadium tomorrow night.

"I didn't realise that was 10 years ago… That felt like three or four," Brailey told sharks.com.au of his memory of winning the 2015 under-18 SG Ball premiership alongside six future NRL graduates including Will Kennedy and Kyle Flanagan.

"I grew up here and wanted to play for Cronulla. To knock up 150 NRL games at the club I grew up admiring is special and something I don't take lightly.

"I remember when I came in and played my first one. The older players like Chad (Townsend) and Gal (Paul Gallen) would always say, 'Enjoy the moments, they go quick' – and they weren't wrong. I probably didn't believe them at the time, but being here now for 150, it's flown past, for sure."

The 26-year-old dummy-half has scarcely missed a game since breaking into an NRL side featuring his older brother Jayden in Round 1, 2019.

Brailey is preparing for his 116th straight match – the longest current streak in the competition. It's a phenomenal feat for the 80kg dummy-half considering he earns a crust by tackling bullocking giants who outweigh him by as much as 40 kilos.

While Brailey may fly under the radar in some respects, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon is in awe of the dummy-half's ability to maintain high standards.

"Incredible consistency," Fitzgibbon said.

"He's really, really started to take shape in the last five or six weeks, Blayke.

"For a guy his size to play nearly 80 minutes every week in the middle, it's been such a remarkable achievement for toughness, consistency and reliability.

"Such a key player for us."

As for whether there's a secret to his longevity, Brailey isn't sure.

"I've got a pretty cruisy lifestyle, so maybe that factors towards that," he mused.

"I don't do too much outside of football. I don't know if it's the players around me or maybe just how I'm built, but I just seem to be able to get through games.

"Hopefully, I can keep the streak going."

One thing for certain is that Brailey will have a large contingent of friends and family out in force to cheer him on at Sharks Stadium.

The Aquinas Colts product credits his father Glenn – currently Cronulla's development and pathways manager and one of Brailey's long-time junior coaches – and mother Carla with laying the groundwork for his success.

"My dad's been a massive influence on me," Brailey said.

"He's trained me from a young age and always kept my head straight, allowing me to make my dreams come true.

"My mum's been a massive part of that. She probably doesn't watch my games as closely as my dad because she gets a bit worried about me, but they've been massive for me as well as my brothers (Jayden and Taj).

"All round, my family has got me here. It hasn't been me on my own."

Brailey's career highlight thus far came when he was embraced by sibling Jayden after scoring his first NRL try against the Cowboys in Round 3, 2019.

A heaving home crowd will celebrate one of their favourite sons when Brailey trots onto the field on Saturday, ready to get the job done in his typical no-fuss manner.

"I've had a bit of luck with milestones. My 100th game was here as well," he said.

"I'm really excited to run out in front of the fans again for my milestone and hopefully make it a good one by winning. I'm excited to see how the boys perform."

While he's now one of the NRL's most prominent players, Brailey still cherishes every chance to pull on the black, white and blue of the Sharks.

"I love the area, the people, the fans … The club has given me so much faith, and if I can go and repay it slightly I want to take that opportunity," he said.

"It means everything. It's my home."