LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In 2016, when the Cronulla Sharks made history by winning the Grand Final, Blayke Brailey was behind the goal posts, celebrating this milestone with his family.
Against all expectations, the Sharks achieved a remarkable post-season, defeating teams like the Canberra Raiders, North Queensland Cowboys, and Melbourne Storm to clinch their first NRL title-50 years after joining the competition in 1967.
Guided by legends such as Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, and Ben Barba, this victory represented the pinnacle of the club's history, as they had previously faced disappointment in grand finals held in 1973, 1978, and 1997.
Fast forward fourteen years, and Blayke Brailey, now the club's newly-appointed captain, is determined to lead the Sharks to their second-ever title after securing a long-term contract with the team that extends until the end of the decade.
Reflecting on his memories from that unforgettable day, Brailey shared, I was behind the goal post when Andrew (Fifita) scored that try. I was there with my family.
He expressed his pride in being a dedicated Sharks supporter, noting, We're obviously really proud Shark supporters, and I was there with my three brothers.
He fondly remembered how they stayed to witness Paul Gallen lifting the trophy and the excitement in the community when they drove back to Cronulla, finding the roads closed in celebration. We stayed at the end to watch Gal (Paul Gallen) lift that trophy, and then we drove straight down to Cronulla and saw the road shut down and the buzz around the community.