Sharks hooker prepared to 'swim' elsewhere

Cronulla hooker Jayden Brailey admits his time at the Sharks might be drawing to a close and he will consider any offers that come his way after November 1.

The 23-year-old is into his third year of NRL and loving it. But this year he has shared the No.9 role with his younger brother Blayke.

The siblings are very supportive of each other but in April the Sharks signed Blayke, who turns 21 in September, to a three-year extension up until 2022.

Jayden is off contract in 2020 but free to talk to other clubs at season's end – and there are quite a few looking for hookers including Newcastle, the Bulldogs, Wests Tigers (if Robbie Farah retires), possibly Penrith and the Cowboys.

"I've signed until the end of next year but if something was to come my way, I'm going to have a look at it because I obviously want to forge my career and my future," Jayden told NRL.com.

"Blayke has signed long-term contract now. And I'm one hundred per cent happy for him."

But it wasn't an easy conversation between the brothers, who still live at home.

"I think he felt a bit awkward about it. It was bittersweet for him," Jayden said.

"I said to him 'Don't worry about me'. I didn't want to have to live with him having to sign somewhere else because I was here first. It doesn't work like that.

"I said if the opportunity was there and it's one he wanted then take it. Don't not sign because I got my NRL start before you. And that's what he's done and I couldn't be happier for him.

"So of course I would also look at anything that came my way. But first my focus is on 2019 and we'll see what comes after that."

The interchange between the pair has been smooth swimming for the Sharks so far.

"It's working really well. When I get a bit tired Blayke can come on and take advantage of that slower ruck. I enjoy the tough, gritty stuff at the start of the game."

And like halves set aside some time each week to discuss the upcoming opposition, the Brailey brothers brainstorm regularly.

"Blayke and I talk about controlling the ruck better and how to work the middles around us. We connect up with the halves as well during the week. But we hookers have to be switched on with the game plan so Blayke and I talk about our game a lot – even at home.

"We relate and bounce off each other well and both give good feedback. So it's pretty cool to have that."

Jayden has known this moment was coming for some time.

"I've prepared for it – for sharing my role with Blayke - and now it's here. I still would love to be playing 80 minutes and that might happen in the years to come.

"But it's working well as a partnership and it's what the team needs at the moment."

Halfback Chad Townsend is one beneficiary of having two hookers at his disposal.

"The last two seasons I've had Jayden obviously and I've formed a good combination with him," Townsend told NRL.com.

"I'm eight games in with Blayke and while we're still building that combination he's a very good player, very solid, like his brother.

"The passes come straight and accurate from both of them. They are both very tough defenders and very skilful.

"I'm equally comfortable with them."