Brailey locked in as long-term Sharks No.9

Brailey rejected interest from rivals to confirm his new deal on Wednesday, keeping him at the Sharks until the end of 2026.

In doing so, the 23-year-old becomes the longest signed player at Cronulla.

It is also the strongest sign Brailey will retain the hooking role, with Cameron McInnes coming to the club for 2022 from St George Illawarra.

Coming off a season-ruining knee injury, McInnes is expected to play lock for the Sharks while Dale Finucane is poised to line up in the front row after arriving from Melbourne.

McInnes could also fill in at dummy-half and deputise for Brailey when required as part of a middle rotation, with the latter showed signs of tiring after playing all 24 games last year.

But regardless, Brailey's signature keeps him off the market with the hooking position looming as the most difficult for several clubs in 2023.

"It's the place I grew up, I was a local junior, I obviously wanted to stay here, so I'm excited to be a part of the future," Brailey said.

"This was my first choice, I really wanted to stay, so I'm grateful to get it done."

Having come through the Sharks junior system with former coach John Morris, Brailey said Craig Fitzgibbon's early weeks in charge had encouraged him to stay.

"He (Fitzgibbon) was good about the whole situation and a reason why I wanted to stay," Brailey said.

"The first two weeks have been great, he's a really knowledgeable coach and I'm excited to be working under him."

Brailey's signature follows Reed Mahoney's decision to head to Canterbury, while Brandon Smith is set to land at the Sydney Roosters.

Sam Verrills could still become an option for some clubs - including Parramatta - given Smith's Roosters deal, however, he would require an early release to exit.

Otherwise Wayde Egan, Manase Fainu, Josh Hodgson, Mitchell Kenny, Apisai Koroisau, Freddy Lussick and Jake Turpin now loom as other off-contract options for clubs.

Australian Associated Press