Home is where the heart is for acting Sharks captain Blayke Brailey, who will build upon a special legacy at his boyhood club after signing a momentous four-year extension.
Already contracted for next season, the star hooker's new deal will ensure he remains in black, white and blue until at least the end of 2030.
Having played his junior football for the Aquinas Colts in the Sutherland Shire, Brailey grew up dreaming of representing his beloved Sharks in the top grade.
The 26-year-old has notched up 160 games for the club since making his NRL debut in 2019. Renowned for his durability, Brailey is in the midst of an astonishing 126-match streak.
As he prepares to spearhead Cronulla's fourth consecutive finals campaign, Brailey is delighted to have secured his future at a club that means so much.
"I love this place, I love the area, I love the club," said Brailey, who has won the Sharks' Player of the Year award two years in a row.
"I know what this team and this club has coming in the next few years. To be a part of that is special and I feel really grateful to call this place home for a lot longer.
"I've been here for almost 13 years now. I started in the juniors and worked my way through the ranks. I've grown up in the area. My whole life and my whole football career have been based around this stadium and this place.
"I've always had the dream to wear the Sharks' colours and to be running out on this field. I never had a Plan B – my Plan A was always to make it here and have my family name on the No.9 jersey ever since I picked up a football.
"To do that and to call this place my home is a dream come true. I know my eight-year-old self would be really proud of the person I've become."
The Sharks Football Committee ensured Brailey would remain at the club long term.
"The Football Committee agreed unanimously that we all wanted Blayke to be a Shark for life," Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta said.
"He's an exceptional player and person who is destined for the representative arena. His achievements thus far are testament to his professionalism and determination.
"Blayke is already a respected leader and he'll help drive our club forward for a long time. He understands what the Sharks mean to the community and our fans.
"We look forward to watching Blayke guide the team through this year's finals series and strive to bring more success to the Sharks in the seasons ahead."
Brailey has ascended to new heights in 2025, enjoying a career-best season that has him widely tipped as a leading contender for Dally M Hooker of the Year honours.
The skilful rake has produced 14 try assists, 11 line-break assists, two tries and 50 average running metres, all while being the only player to make 1000 tackles this year.
After displaying rare ability during a phenomenal junior career, which included winning the 2015 SG Ball title and the 2017 Holden Cup minor premiership, Brailey seamlessly stepped up to reserve grade in 2018 as Newtown reached the grand final.
He helped the Jets clinch the NSW Cup-State Championship double in 2019, the same season in which he played 15 NRL games after debuting against the Knights in Round 1.
Brailey succeeded his brother Jayden as Cronulla’s starting dummy-half the following season and quickly owned the role, playing no less than 20 matches every year since.
Representative honours beckon for the diminutive dynamo, who was selected as part of an extended NSW State of Origin training squad in 2023.
He will skipper Cronulla in their final regular season match against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Saturday night before attention turns to the playoffs.
