If the Sharks can take that giant final step they\u2019ve been craving for the past two seasons, they may consider sending a thankyou note to Panthers champion Nathan Cleary. <\/p>\n
Sharks leader Blayke Brailey has explained how the superstar halfback could emerge as the secret link to the Cronulla hooker taking his game to a whole new level in 2026. <\/p>\n
Brailey also laid-out Cronulla\u2019s strategy to burst out of the blocks from round one, his mission to create premiership history, how the Sharks cover the loss of influential winger Ronaldo Mulitalo, and his dream to breakthrough to the State of Origin and World Cup arena.<\/p>\n
CLEARY\u2019S CLINICS<\/p>\n
Rewarded for his outstanding 2025 season with selection in the Australian squad to the UK for the Ashes last year, Brailey may not have played a game for the Kangaroos.<\/p>\n
However, he says his personal study of Cleary at training and bus rides with the likes of Cameron Munster, Harry Grant, Reece Walsh and Isaah Yeo, prompted him to begin pre-season training several weeks before he was due back with Cronulla. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was very keen to get back to training, obviously after being over in the UK, I had the footy bug and the itch to get back early,\u2019\u2019 Brailey said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWatching Nathan Cleary, Harry Grant, Cam Munster, how they\u2019ll prepare for the game is all different, but it was cool to pick up a few things from all of them and one major thing I took away was how Nathan prepares. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll be on the bus for 30 minutes still waiting for him to come off the field because he\u2019s kicking, he\u2019s goal kicking, he\u2019s doing everything he can in his game to improve and that has inspired me to work harder. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s at the top of his game and he\u2019s still working overtime, so that definitely was a good reality check for me to realise I still have a lot more work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brailey hasn\u2019t quite clocked the extra 30 minutes of training like Cleary just yet. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut I\u2019m getting up there which is nice,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was also on the bus rides with the players and you talk about different games and to hear their perspective of me and hearing how much of a threat I can be out of dummy half when I run the ball and how it makes them feel of defence, that was pretty cool to hear.<\/p>\n
\u201cI probably didn\u2019t realise the impact I did have until the players at the top of their game and top of the level really gave me that feedback. Hopefully I can use that this year.\u2019\u2019 <\/p>\n
BLUES AND WORLD CUP <\/p>\n
Brailey said the Ashes tour was an awakening for his confidence and belief in just how close he is to being the best hooker in the game, with his burning desire to play for NSW and Australia at the World Cup. <\/p>\n
A broken hand for NSW incumbent hooker Reece Robson for the first month of the season gives Brailey, 27, a valuable headstart for bragging rights. <\/p>\n
\u201cI went over (to the UK) there hoping to play but at the same time I was extremely grateful to be part of the tour,\u2019\u2019 Brailey said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe first week when the players got their jersey presentation, that was really special.<\/p>\n
\u201cHearing how much the jersey meant to them… I really want that feeling. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd although I didn\u2019t get a chance in the UK I know the World Cup is coming up so that\u2019s definitely on my list, with also representing NSW, that\u2019s a goal of mine.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing over there definitely lit the flame inside me.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
TROPHY HUNTER<\/p>\n
Brailey gave the reason why after falling short in both the 2024 and 2025 preliminary finals, Cronulla can repeat history in the Shire, a decade after the club\u2019s inaugural premiership. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll definitely be up there,\u2019\u2019 Brailey said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s obviously the plan. We\u2019ve set out a goal and the last two years we\u2019ve come so close, we\u2019re one week away from being in a grand final. <\/p>\n
\u201c2016 was the year we first lifted that trophy, so why not ten years later we bring a second one back. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was in the stands when (Andrew) Fifita scored that try and I was down at Cronulla when the streets were closed and seeing the excitement on everyone\u2019s faces. <\/p>\n
\u201cI definitely want that feeling back and I want to bring that feeling back to the Shire.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
START FAST <\/p>\n
Cronulla\u2019s greatest shortcoming was failing to finish inside the top four, playing pressure footy for three straight weeks in the finals after a 2-3 start to the season and mid-season slump when they went 1-4, leaving them in fifth position after the regular season. <\/p>\n
Brailey said both he and his teammates required a ruthless mindset from the first whistle of their opening round clash with the Titans. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn an ideal world, that\u2019s the goal,\u2019\u2019 Brailey said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI worked out the secret of, you know, when I run the ball, you know good things happen for our side and for my own game. So that\u2019s definitely the mindset going into round one. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I think the first maybe 10 or 12 rounds I wasn\u2019t happy with my game and it took a little bit for me to sort of find my groove.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brailey knows the Sharks are historically slow starters.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw a stat the other day, we have a pretty bad round one win percentage,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo I\u2019ll be doing my part and I know everyone else is doing theirs to make sure they\u2019re ready for that first game.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
MINUS MULITALO<\/p>\n
The Sharks will be without one of their most influential figures for at least the opening 14 rounds of the season as star winger Ronaldo Mulitalo recovers from ACL surgery. <\/p>\n
Brailey identified who would cover the loss of Mulitalo, who scored 17 tries in 2025 and averaged 142 metres a game. <\/p>\n
\u201cObviously playing-wise he\u2019s (Mulitalo) a massive loss,\u2019\u2019 Brailey said. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe energy he brings through our squad and the competitiveness and the way he goes about his business, it really energises the whole side. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo we\u2019re all going to have to find another layer of voice or find more energy in the times when it\u2019s tough.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure Sam Stonestreet is the front runner there to come in and he\u2019s been training the house down. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s fitter, I didn\u2019t think he could get faster, but with Shirvo (sprint coach Matt Shirvington) here, he has been.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a world-class player and I know he\u2019s already showed the fans and the Shark supporters how good he can be, so now he gets a few weeks on his belt, I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll be great and it\u2019s good to have another local junior on the side.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n