LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Cronulla Sharks have officially announced the re-signing of William Kennedy for the 2026 NRL season.
The fullback, who had a standout season with the team, has attracted attention regarding his future at the club throughout the year.
In mid-2025, it became apparent that salary cap constraints might force him to leave Cronulla, as the club was only able to offer around $300,000 for his contract.
Despite these limitations, Kennedy has signed a one-year extension for the 2026 season, which will place him back on the open market starting November 1. He is likely to catch the interest of the financially robust Perth Bears.
The NRL's upcoming expansion team can begin negotiations with players from November 1 and has a budget of $12 million to assemble a full squad. Kennedy is emerging as a potential first signing for this new franchise.
However, Kennedy expressed his excitement about continuing his journey with the Sharks for an additional year. "I feel really happy to stay at the club. I've been here since SG Ball, so it really means a lot to me," he stated.