Cronulla's Blayke Brailey has revealed he rejected a potential move to a number of clubs in favour of staying in the Shire.

Having been out of contract at the end of the season, Brailey's signature was sure to be sought after league-wide, with the reigning premiers leading the pack for the 20-year-old.

โ€œTheyโ€™re a really respected club. It was a long process to really make my decision. Obviously, they have Cooper Cronk there, they have Latrell Mitchell, Luke Keary โ€ฆ there are a lot of high profile players there,โ€ he told the Daily Telegraph.

โ€œSo it was very tempting. But itโ€™s the same here, we have Shaun Johnson, Andrew Fifita, Matt Moylan โ€ฆ I always wanted to stay at Cronulla, I didnโ€™t really want to go anywhere else.โ€

Brailey added that several clubs had pursued him in an attempt to lure the hooker away from the Sharks, but instead chose to leave his father and manager in charge so he could spend more time focusing on remaining in Cronulla's best 17.

โ€œIt was overwhelming to be getting that sort of attention but I didnโ€™t want to get over my head and worry about it too much," Brailey said.

Brailey eventually went on to sign a three-year contract at Cronulla, believing he made the right call.

โ€œIt was a tough situation. I have been weighing up all my options since pre-season really so itโ€™s been a long process. But I feel like I made the best decision for myself and my family. Iโ€™m happy to be staying at Cronulla, itโ€™s my home club and I never really wanted to move.โ€

With Brailey remaining with the Sharks, it will be sure to make for an interesting season ahead as he will be fighting for the starting hooker spot against brother, Jayden, a clash that he believes will only better the club.

โ€œWe donโ€™t know how long weโ€™ll get to play together, so every opportunity we get we have to take it with both hands,โ€ he said.

โ€œI think it compliments the team. Heโ€™s a really good defensive hooker and I try to bring a bit of spark, a bit of attack. We are different players.โ€

2 COMMENTS

  1. Silly boy,

    Has been persuade by ill founded comraderie instead of thinking about where was
    1. The best chance to learn his trade
    2. The best chance to actually win something
    3. The best chance to get noticed and picked for Origin/country

    Even considering the Sharks rise in recent years, I would suggest that he could have done better than Cronulla.

    Unfortunately, youngsters often let such things as mateship, family and money cloud their decision making and by the time they realise it, it is often too late.

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