‘Plenty of discussion there’: Sharks and Kennedy closing in on new deal after fullback’s hat-trick heroics

Will Kennedy may have bumped up his asking price after scoring three tries for the Sharks as contract talks between him and the club ramp up.

Will Kennedy is in line for a contract extension after he starred for the Sharks on Friday night. Picture; Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon says the club is locked in discussions with Will Kennedy for a possible contract extension after the fullback stole the show with his first career hat-trick in Friday’s win over Parramatta.

The 25-year-old has been one of the unsung heroes in a star-studded backline which has seen the likes of Jesse Ramien, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Siosifa Talakai all extend their stays in the Shire in recent months.

Kennedy’s contract value went up a little bit after his hat-trick against Parramatta on Friday night. Picture; Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Kennedy is off contract at the end of the season but looms as a key target for a club that let Lachie Miller go to the Knights, while youngster Kade Dykes won’t play again this year after suffering a devastating knee injury on the eve of the season.

“Plenty of discussion there so that’ll happen. We’ve got to go back to Will and there’s a bit of a toing and froing there. We’re still in the process of keeping Will,” Fitzgibbon said.

“We’re in the process of that but we probably can’t discuss where the actual discussion is at this point in time. He’s important to us, and that’s all I’ll say there.”

The club has locked down a few members of the backline, with Mulitalo signed until the end of the 2025 season. Picture; Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Kennedy was outstanding in the 30-26 win over Parramatta, crossing for a first-half double before he stepped his way through some scrambling defence to score a crucial try after the break.

He did put down a bomb that was punished a few plays later by Mitch Moses, but it was an otherwise dominant display by the 25-year-old who may have just added a few more dollars to his next deal.

“I don’t think Will gets the credit he deserves for what he provides our team. The players love him and they love playing alongside him,” Fitzgibbon said.

“His position is high level, and unfortunately he dropped that kick, but it was still a special night the way he played tonight. We love having him.”