Talks have stalled between Blayke Brailey and Cronulla, with the in-form hooker looking set to go to the open market on November 1.
With the exception of Harry Grant, there isn’t a more effective hooker in the NRL than Brailey and he is already being groomed as the NSW State of Origin No.9 next season.
But the Sharks are in danger of losing their star dummy-half, who comes off contract at the end of next season.
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Blayke Brailey The Mole Getty
“They [Cronulla] made an offer – we didn’t accept it,” Brailey’s manager David Riolo told Wide World of Sports.
“I put a counter offer and they are considering it. We are kind of in limbo at the moment.
“But the clock is ticking and if it can’t get sorted before November 1, he will go to the open market.”
Brailey was man of the match in last weekend’s win over the Roosters, carving open the defence on several occasions. Statistics have shown that if he makes 46 or more metres, the Sharks win 90 per cent of their games.
Brailey is tough too – he hasn’t missed a game since round 20, 2020 – a remarkable feat for a little forward who constantly brings down rampaging giants in defence.
FORGOTTEN MAN NEARING RETURN
Karl Oloapu NRL Imagery
Remember Karl Oloapu? The former Australian Schoolboys who had a bitter fallout with Broncos and then joined the Bulldogs, playing seven NRL games in 2023.
Tragedy then struck, with Oloapu suffering what looked like a career-ending neck injury.
Canterbury released him on medical grounds, but the youngster refused to call it quits.
After several surgeries and many hours of physiotherapy and strength work in the gym, the 20-year-old is close to making a comeback – with his home town club, the Dolphins.
Oloapu is training with the club’s Queensland Cup team and should be back in action soon – and hopefully on a path to fulfill his destiny in the NRL.
COWBOYS PIVOT TO STAY PUT?
Don’t be surprised if Cowboys half Jake Clifford rejects interest from several clubs – including Canberra – to remain in Townsville.
Clifford and his wife Steph are expecting their third child – just seven months after their son Dustyn was born. The growing family is believed to be keen to remain in the far north rather than make a move to NSW or the ACT.
Jake Clifford Getty
Clifford, aged 27, is in his second stint with the Cowboys. A local junior, he began his career with the club in 2018 before spending two years at the Knights.
He then moved to Super League with Hull FC for a year in 2023 and then returning to the Cowboys, where he has been enjoying a good season.
YOUNG SPEEDSTER ‘MAKING WAVES’
A speedy outside back who the Dolphins picked up from the Roosters academy is said to make waves in the game in coming years.
Sangstar-Saulala Figota, a flying 18-year-old with superb footwork, is a former Queensland schoolboy representative at U14s and U15s level.
The teenager was born in Auckland before crossing the ditch and is expected to train with the Dolphins’ top squad over the coming summer.
Watch this space.
