LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Cronulla Sharks are preparing for the exit of both fullback William Kennedy and centre Jesse Ramien after the 2026 season.
As both players will be off-contract at the end of the upcoming season, the Sharks have reportedly not extended new offers amidst struggles with a tight salary cap and a focus on nurturing young talent.
The Sharks have Liam Ison, who they acquired from the Penrith Panthers ahead of the 2025 season, ready to step in at fullback following his recovery from an ACL injury. In the centre position, players Michael Gabrael and Chris Vea'ila are positioned for more prominent roles.
The Sharks have recently secured Blayke Brailey with a significant contract upgrade, while also retaining key players like Nicho Hynes and Addin Fonua-Blake, which contributes to the strain on their salary cap.
This situation led to Kennedy re-signing for just one additional year in 2026 at a salary likely around $350,000, a figure that falls short of his market value.
In NRL circles, it's widely acknowledged that Kennedy is a probable early signing for the Perth Bears as they gear up for their inaugural season in 2027.
While Ramien's prospects are less certain, reports from News Corp suggest that both he and Kennedy are unlikely to remain with the Sharks beyond next year.