Official Brett Kearney

[Yahoo News]

BRETT Kearney is playing for his future, and that is pressure enough without having to step in for Cronulla's first- and second-choice halfbacks - Brett Kimmorley and Adam Dykes. -

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/kearney-proves-his-worth/2006/05/14/1147545210890.html

Kearney proves his worth
By Greg Prichard
May 15, 2006

BRETT Kearney is playing for his future, and that is pressure enough without having to step in for Cronulla's first- and second-choice halfbacks - Brett Kimmorley and Adam Dykes.

But the 22-year-old handled the pressure against Canberra yesterday, steering the Sharks around in style and earning a rave review from his coach, Stuart Raper. "I've got to give Brett Kearney a huge wrap for the way he played today," Raper said. "It was an outstanding effort."

Kearney finished up at South Sydney at the end of last season and signed a one-year deal with Cronulla. Yesterday's game marked his fifth - and easily most important - appearance in first grade this season. Kearney is trying to win a new contract with the Sharks and efforts like the one against the Raiders will boost his chances considerably.

"I was actually still signed to Souths for this year, but it wasn't really working out for me there," Kearney said. "They made it clear I could look for another club if I wanted to and I was keen on Cronulla because I thought that with Noddy [Kimmorley] and Adam here, it would be a good place for a young halfback like me to learn.

"Naturally I wasn't hoping for them to get hurt so I could get a chance at halfback, but injuries happen and it worked out that I got a chance to press for a new contract. I was happy to just sign for this year when I first came here. I was prepared to gamble that I would do OK. Now I've got to make sure I take opportunities like this, to show I can perform."

Kearney said Raper had put him in the right frame of mind for the game by talking to him about how the Sharks were making a point of playing a team game and trying to rely less on individuals. "That eased the pressure," Kearney said.

"Stuey told me not to take everything on my shoulders … so I went out there and steered the team around without trying to do too much individually early on and things flowed well from there."

 

[peachey]

Kearney Keen To Impress

Kearney Keen To Impress
sharks.com.au

The Souths game however will mean a lot to one particular Sharks player, with Brett Kearney keen to cement a place in the Sharks top 17, especially if he can push towards achieving that goal while performing in front of family and friends at his old stomping ground on the Central Coast.

After playing his junior football for the Kincumber Colts, Kearney was recruited to play in the Matthews Cup and SG Ball with the North Sydney Bears, who at the time had a junior league affiliation with the region. From there it was on to South Sydney, before the clever utility moved into the Shire to play for the Sharks. “All my family is still up on the Coast,” Kearney said. “There will probably be about ten of them at the game.”

His first season in Sharks colours in 2006 was a highly successful one for Kearney, who played 20 matches in the top grade in a variety of roles, substituting for Kimmorley and Adam Dykes in the halves, while also making an impression in the dummy half and fullback positions. In his first match of the season, playing at number seven, Kearney scored an impressive solo try against the Eels and handed in a solid overall performance. If that first up performance is anything to go on, 2007 could be even bigger and better.
“I did some good things and some things that weren’t so good,” was Kearney’s assessment of his form against Parramatta. “There’s room for improvement but that’s what this week and the lead up to round one is all about.”

As to where he fits in the scheme of things under Stuart’s coaching, Kearney is still unsure. This week he will wear the number one jersey and start the match against Souths at fullback. “Fullback is Ok. Anywhere in the top 13 is good,” he said. “I have no idea at the moment where I fit in. We’ll just have to wait and see. But I’ll be fighting hard for a spot in the 17 somewhere.”

The Sharks trial against Souths kicks off at 7.30pm, with the NRL trial to be preceded by matches at 4.00pm and 5.30pm involving the Sharks and Rabbitohs Jersey Flegg and Premier League sides.

http://www.sharks.com.au/index.php?id=48&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=388&tx_ttnews[backPid]=2&cHash=1b79a162c3

 

[kJm]

how do u get that story becos wen i go on the sharks website, its not there on the homepage or in the news section

same with the previous thread about the team 4 the trail, someone metioned it was on the sharks website but how do i get to it becos wen i click on next game it only shows the details of the trail, no team listings

 

[Hardstyle_shark]

how do u get that story becos wen i go on the sharks website, its not there on the homepage or in the news section

same with the previous thread about the team 4 the trail, someone metioned it was on the sharks website but how do i get to it becos wen i click on next game it only shows the details of the trail, no team listings

Mate u click on the new topic you want...then you click on MORE at the bottom of the topic headline..

 

[Sempa Fi Sharky]

Kearney

Best utility we have

 

[NikkiShark]

Best utility we have

certainly is

 

[kJm]

Mate u click on the new topic you want...then you click on MORE at the bottom of the topic headline..

lol sorry, i thought the story was called "Kearny keen to impress" lol but it was under "Sharks name strong side for trial"

thanks anyway

 

[peachey]

kearney will be in our side for sure...he is almost up to sully standard..and may well pass that with in this season..i hope we sign him to a long contract

 

[Inferno]

kearney will be in our side for sure...he is almost up to sully standard..and may well pass that with in this season..i hope we sign him to a long contract

He's already much improved on Sully. Miles better defensively and also makes far less mistakes.

 

[peachey]

i was talking about sully in an attacking sense...i should of said that

 

[zakspiders]

Best utility we have

he needs to start games
where is his best position? 1/2, 5/8 ,hooker/dummyhalf?
what do you guys reckon?

 

[brad]

At fullback last year he wasnt very comfortable under the high ball. But did do alrite at hooker. I believe he fits into the halves. He is a good player and is getting better.

 

[Sempa Fi Sharky]

Best posi

I think 5/8. He makes a fantastic foil for a creative half back like Dykes.

 

[Megashark]

I agree with Sempa, his best position is five eighth, but I don't necessarily agree with Zak that he needs to start games; because I believe he offers more from the bench due to his versatility, with Ricky being able to slot him into a variety of positions depending on the state of the game. He truly is our "mr fix it" and I'm sure he is set for another huge season.

 

[Hardstyle_shark]

I agree i think the sharks need to sign him up for more years for sure. He is our best utility by far. Best position is 5/8 for sure. But he can play anywhere and will get better as the year goes on. Good player..

 

[Super Shark]

Definately 5/8 postion for sure. He was well suited to that spot with either Dykes or Noddy plus an excellent dummy half runner

 

[Bronze Whaler]

5/8 outside Noddy. I reckon we will see it inside the first 5 rounds.
He is a much better defender than Dykes.

 

[Great White]

Agree with you totally Bronze, but I too agree he is great off the bench, he has great speed and solid in defence. his contract is up too at the end of this year, they need to be quick IMO.

 

[flipper]

Agree with you totally Bronze, but I too agree he is great off the bench, he has great speed and solid in defence. his contract is up too at the end of this year, they need to be quick IMO.

He resigned last year for a further three

 

[Hardstyle_shark]

He resigned last year for a further three

You definately sure about that. Im pretty sure his contract is up at the end of the year.????