Sharks gun Blayke Brailey could reportedly be set to become the NRL’s next milliondollar star — but a “grave error” means Cronulla are facing the prospect of losing their No.9.
The 26-year-old has arguably been the in-form player of the competition in 2025, coming off-contract and free to speak with rivals come November 1.
According to Fox League’s James Hooper, Sharks powerbrokers were “slow out the gates” and have tabled an offer worth well under market value.
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That error could see rivals, and potentially expansion club the Perth Bears, go all out to secure his services if he hits the open market.
“The black, white and blue have made a grave error. They’ve just been a little slow out of the gates, and I’d even go as far to say they have probably lowballed him,” Hooper said on NRL360 on Wednesday night.
“If this young bloke, with the dynamic running game that he has shown continues to go the way it is.
“If he’s available come November 1 I’d suspect many clubs, possibly someone like the Perth Bears, would pay up to $1 million to try and land his signature.
“Because you can build a club around him.”
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NRL360 host Braith Anasta added: “It’s good timing for the Bears, even PNG the year after.”
Hooper went on to explain he believes the Sharks figure was around $350,000 lower than the potential $1 million market value to secure Brailey’s services.
“I’d say it’s around $650,000, something like that. I don’t think it’s anywhere near where it needs to be,” Hooper said.
“If I’m looking at the Perth Bears, they are going to target players of the ilk and stature in the game, people like Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Blayke Brailey and Cameron Munster.
“To me, that makes a lot of sense. Great leaders, and an emerging young talent.”
Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis also revealed Brailey’s management are seeking a long-term deal.
“The other issue has been the length of the contract, Brailey’s camp want five years. So it’s a six-year agreement essentially to remain there,” he said.
“Because he’s got 12 months left on his contract. The Sharks deal was for three extra seasons, so that’s quite significant as well.
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“He is the form player of the competition… and so much so, he has outplayed Harry Grant, outplayed Reece Robson over the last month or so.”
However, for Sharks skipper Cameron McInnes, he was confident the club’s gun hooker would remain in the Shire.
The Brailey name is synonymous with the Sharks, with Jayden Brailey having played for the club before making the move to the Knights.
Meanwhile, their dad also holds a position in the club.
“His whole family is entrenched in the club… I know how much the club means to him. I would imagine Blayke would want to be here,” McInnes said to media.
“And the club of course would want him here as well. They will work hard to get it done, but I don’t think it’d be too tough a thing to get over the line.”