‘I get that it’s not personal’: Jayden Brailey opens up on contract speculation after reports he could be moved on

Jayden Brailey has shown his class on and off the field, so it was no surprise to hear his response when he heard he could be moved on by the Knights.

Jayden Brailey admits he was a bit rattled when he heard whispers that the Knights were trying to get rid of him, but the veteran hooker doesn’t hold any grudges. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Knights hooker Jayden Brailey says he was initially shocked to hear reports that the club was trying to get rid of him, but the luckless No.9 understands that it’s all a business as he puts his future on the backburner to focus on the finals.

Brailey, 28, still has a year left on the deal he signed back in 2021, but there have been plenty of rumours swirling around that the former skipper and a couple of other senior players could be pushed out to free up some cap space.

Those chats naturally made their way back to Brailey, who insists nothing has been decided for next year.

Jayden Brailey says he was initially shocked to hear talk that the Knights wanted to get rid of him. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“There’s no progression with any of that, so the focus for me is trying to play my best footy because I’ve still got next year at the club,” he said.

“Whatever happens on the back of that will happen, but there’s no progress on all that.

“It was probably a bit (weird) 10 weeks ago when it first started floating around because it was a bit of a shock, but it’s a business and it’s what we all signed up for.

“I understand how it works. I get that it’s not personal.

“I knocked it on the head pretty quickly and spoke with the club about what was going on, and we’ll work through it.”

It’s been a luckless stint in Newcastle for Brailey, who suffered three serious injuries in four years. Picture: NRL Photos

Other clubs could do with a player like Brailey, who brings plenty of experience and talent to the role, but he’s happy in Newcastle and feels like there’s unfinished business after years of injury hell.

After three injury-free seasons at the Sharks, he made the move to the Knights where he’s suffered two ACL tears and a ruptured achilles in the space of four seasons.

It was a brutal period for the young man who is slowly getting back to his best and is just grateful that he’s been able to stay on the park for 20 games in 2024.

“After everything that’s happened, this was a big year to come back and play some consistent footy, and I feel I’ve done that,” he said.

“It’s been a solid year but I definitely think I can take my game to much higher levels. Being out of the game for so long, that takes time.

“I’m really proud of how I’ve played 20 games this year because it’s been a while since I’ve been able to say that.”