Blayke Brailey isn\u2019t focusing on a contract extension because he fears it could affect his scorching form, but the Sharks hooker can\u2019t see himself elsewhere with the dynamic runner playing better than he ever has.<\/p>\n
Cronulla\u2019s fortunes have often been linked to his running game, and it\u2019s no surprise to see them back in the top eight and winning games with Brailey setting up four tries in his past two matches.<\/p>\n
The man who never misses games has won the club\u2019s player of the year award in each of the past two seasons and would be high up on the leaderboard again in 2025.<\/p>\n
The local junior still has another year to run on his contract but must be a top priority for the Sharks given other clubs would break the bank for a player with his speed, durability and toughness in the middle.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen contracts come up, you can get a bit sidetracked and your form can dip,\u201d he said, revealing he\u2019s left it up to his manager to sort out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just trying not to worry about it. I know that if my footy does the talking, that\u2019s all I\u2019m worried about. I\u2019m more focused on winning the next few games and cementing our spot in the top eight.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love this club, I grew up here and I was there when Gal (club legend Paul Gallen) lifted the trophy in 2016.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never even given any thought (to playing for another club). I grew up in the area and played footy on the hill here at Shark Park, so this place is home. Hopefully, the club sees that as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brailey ran for 78m in the win over the Dolphins and backed it up with a season-high 93m against the Roosters on Friday night to go with 45 tackles.<\/p>\n
He\u2019d only run for 40m in one of his first 13 games of the season, but he\u2019s done it in each of his past five matches to go with five line breaks. <\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I\u2019m in a really good space at the minute with my defence and my running game, which is probably been the one thing that\u2019s everyone\u2019s noticed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m seeing the game really clearly and it makes the game a lot more enjoyable when I\u2019m not just tackling the whole game.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a really good period for me and hopefully I can continue that going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon was glad that other people were noticing how good Brailey is, while skipper Cam McInnes \u2013 who used to be a hooker before he moved to lock \u2013 spoke highly of what Brailey has brought to the club. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf I played hooker and he plays hooker, then I didn\u2019t play hooker,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m nowhere near that level of capability, so we\u2019re lucky to have him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brailey\u2019s running game is only possible if the forwards are winning the ruck, and it\u2019s vital for him to run amok to take pressure off the halves who have the time and space to finish off the attacking raids. <\/p>\n
There used to be a weekly obsession over his running numbers given Cronulla\u2019s winning percentage was linked to his darts from dummy-half, with Brailey declaring it a \u201cnon-negotiable\u201d for him to run, run and run again. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt does slow down at times and I can see it unfolding and see myself running before it even happens. That\u2019s what\u2019s happening at the moment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m pretty happy with the patch I\u2019m in, and hopefully I can run more, attack more and give the team whatever it needs to win. <\/p>\n
\u201cFitzy always encourages me to run, and I\u2019m at the point now in my game where if I don\u2019t run, I\u2019m not happy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s working out well for us that when I do run, we get on the front foot and it makes our side flow a lot better.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve put a lot of pressure on myself to run and it\u2019s a non-negotiable for me. I know if I don\u2019t run that I\u2019ll be pretty cranky and upset for the week.\u201d<\/p>\n