“I know what we’re building here – that’s the only belief I need, and the outside noise is just that. The only way we can stop that noise is by performing well.
“Even the times we do perform well, we’re still not seen as a good side, and I’m not sure if that’s to do with being the underdog, or how we’re a small club, and how people think we can’t compete with the top teams.
“We’ve done everything but play in a grand final the past few years. People can talk, but I know what we’re building towards. I want to win a grand final here. That’s my goal.”
Since Fitzgibbon took charge of the club at the start of the 2022 season, the Sharks have played finals every year, including last year’s loss in the preliminary final to eventual premiers Penrith.
They have won a total of 61 games in the past four years on Fitzgibbon’s watch, which puts them behind only the Panthers and Storm (both 67) during the same period.
Brailey says the finals experience, and the fact the club’s spine is starting to click and play well at the right time of year, are two good enough reasons they can go all the way.
Cameron McInnes and the Sharks reflect on another missed opportunity after losing to the Panthers in the preliminary final in 2024.Credit: Getty Images
“There’s no doubt we’re in that premiership window – we have a chance to do something special, and I don’t want it to slip,” he says.
“I don’t want to look back in few years wishing I could have done more or worked harder. Everyone has that same feeling here.
“The last few weeks, the confidence our spine has, the way we’re training and preparing; footy is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. You need to be committed 24-7 to win a comp. ‘Connection’ is a big word in the NRL, and being the tight family we are – if you were to walk into our sheds, you’d hear us fighting and bickering like all families do – but we love each other, and only want the best for each other.
“We’ve been to the big games, we’ve won some, we’ve lost some, we’re tracking in the right direction to peak at the most important time. There’s just a really good buzz and feel around the place.”
Could this year be different for Nicho Hynes and the Sharks?Credit: Getty Images
Ask Braydon Trindall about the lack of external respect for the Sharks, and he refers to being in the “trenches” with his teammates, his “brothers”, and embracing that blue-collar spirit.
“We talk about being in the trenches here – this place is a trench, it’s not too flashy,” Trindall says. “We’re just a bunch of hard-working blokes who love trying to put in good performances.
“We love trying to prove people wrong, but at the same time prove ourselves right because we know we can do it.”
Addin Fonua-Blake, the man-mountain lured back to Sydney after some eye-catching years with the Warriors and regarded as the kind of player who could take Cronulla that extra week deeper into September – was unconcerned with trying to change people’s perceptions.
He learnt early in his career, he says, that people were quick to form opinions and that it was a waste of time attempting to change them.
“The club in general gets a lot of stuff said about it, but we come into work every day, nobody brings any baggage – we only worry about what we can control,” Fonua-Blake says.
Why can you go all the way, Addin?
“A lot of the boys are coming into their best years; we’re hitting our straps at the right time,” he says.
If you’ve ever seen Fonua-Blake up close, you wouldn’t argue.
Chad Townsend helped end Cronulla’s long premiership drought in 2016.Credit: Getty Images
But back to Brailey. The well-spoken new leader grew up in the Shire and won a hatful of junior competitions with the Aquinas Colts alongside former Shark Kyle Flanagan. Sunday’s clash against Newcastle will be a family affair, with older brother Jayden lining up for the Knights.
Jayden, who will join the Raiders next year, has since become the new family favourite again, says Blayke, because his partner, Liliana, recently gave birth to a boy, Beau.
As for replacing the injured and inspirational Cam McInnes as leader, Brailey says: “This club and the captaincy means everything to me.
“I remember sitting on the Family Hill watching ‘Gal’ [Paul Gallen] lead the side out each week. I was behind the posts when Andrew Fifita scored in the 2016 grand final.
Blayke Brailey wants to win a premiership with Cronulla.Credit: Getty Images
“When I was born, my first words weren’t mum or dad, but G-Train [a reference to Gallen]. Everyone jokes about our sheds and facilities, but growing up, this place is all I ever wanted to be a part of. It was never flashy, but I wanted to be here. Now I’m here, and I love it.
“One of my best memories is a game in my first year when I had one try-assist, which was for Gal to score at Suncorp. He shooshed the crowd when he scored, then kicked the goal. It was a cool moment.
“My old man [Glenn] won’t admit it, but he was a Tigers fan growing up. My grandfather Brian played for them [Balmain]. One of my favourite players growing up was [premiership-winning Tiger’s halfback] Scott Prince.
“But Cronulla has always been home and the club I wanted to play for. I still pinch myself now I get to put on the jersey each week. Our whole family and Jayden’s friends will be here on the weekend. He still has a lot of ties here.
“We beat Newcastle earlier in the year in Newcastle, and it would be nice to do it again. I know when my brother left, I made it my mission to make sure a Brailey held on to the hooker jersey at Cronulla, and that’s been a big motivator of mine each week.”
McInnes ruptured his ACL against the Titans when he felt it buckle during a tackle. He had suffered the same injury a few years earlier, so he knew what it felt like – but just to be sure, he raced out of the defensive line a second time, praying his knee would hold up. It didn’t.
He knows the Sharks have a golden opportunity to go all the way and emulate the heroes of 2016.
McInnes is only contracted until the end of next year. So is Brailey, although he is close to inking a lengthy extension.
Loading
When CEO Dino Mezzatesta reads Brailey’s quotes above about how much he loves the joint, it should be enough to sign him on the spot.
Brailey can see big things happening.
“I know where this place is heading, and I want to be a part of it, and to contribute to that success,” he says.
Who doesn’t love an underdog? Just maybe, Brailey’s men are about to change some perceptions about the Sharks.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now