Official William Kennedy

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Fullback 2025

  • Total voters
    16
  • Poll closed .
bort said:
People used to say nobody else wanted Chad too. Played multiple more years, across three more clubs.

Clearly nobody else prioritised Kennedy but we needed him more than anyone and we got him. It doesn’t mean nobody else would have given him something.

That’s definitely not arguing we beat out half a dozen half million plus offers or anything. Just pointing out nobody else would want him has been said before and proven wrong before.

We were almost certainly his only starting opportunity.
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That's what I meant. Obviously a club would take him on minimum wage as backup.
 
Mr Ryan said:
Signing a 1 year deal in October is essentially nothing under the current system.

If any other club is interested in him, they’ve got less than month to continue talking to him.
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Well it ensures Will he is getting paid for another 12 months.
 
Capital_Shark said:
ChatGPT is the most positive mother ****er and even it thinks it stinks:

What Ben Barba Brings / What He’s Good At

  1. Elite fullback/fullback‑adjacent skills
    • Barba has been one of the most dynamic attacking fullbacks in the modern era: great under the high ball, elusive footwork, an ability to read the game, break lines, support play, good speed, agility.
    • He won the Dally M Medal in 2012 (best player in the league) at fullback, which suggests a high level of understanding and execution of what a fullback needs to do in attack and in general involvement.
  2. Experience in different environments
    • He’s played at multiple clubs in the NRL, moved to England (St Helens) and had success there (Super League, Man of Steel etc.), so he has exposure to different styles, perhaps different coaching methods and expectations.
    • Coming back from adversity, dealing with off‑field pressures, and talking publicly about mistakes might make him more empathetic and able to guide younger players about what to do — and what not to do.
  3. High ceiling for what fullbacks can do
    • Barba’s attacking creativity, his vision and flair (when focussed) show what a fullback could be: more than just safe under the high ball, more than just defence; a playmaker, a threat on breaks, someone who can influence the game.
  4. Credibility
    • Because Barba has been at the top, he has inherent credibility. Players often respond well to people who’ve “been there, done that,” particularly in the same position.
​

Risks / Cons & Things to Watch Out For

  1. Off‑field issues and reputation
    • Barba’s career has been marred by various off‑field controversies: breaches of club codes of conduct; issues with substance use; domestic violence allegations; behavioural problems.
    • He also tested positive for cocaine after the Sharks’ 2016 premiership win and was released from the club.
  2. Stability / consistency
    • Barba’s form and behaviour over time have been inconsistent, both because of external (off‑field) issues and perhaps psychological pressure.
    • If a mentor is to guide someone regularly, you want someone with consistency and reliability. There is risk Barba himself may not be in a position (emotionally, professionally, personally) to deliver that consistently.
    • Also, potential for distraction: media attention, old controversies, could become more of a liability than an asset.
  3. Public perception / culture risk
    • Bringing someone with Barba’s background into a mentoring/coaching role might cause backlash. There are stakeholders (fans, sponsors, media) who may be uneasy about past behaviour.
    • Also, for younger players, the example set must be high standard not just on field but off field.
  4. Regulatory / legal risks
    • There may be sanctions or restrictions from past NRL or legal penalties. For example, whether Barba is able to be officially employed, admitted to official coaching roles, whether the NRL would permit it, whether there are integrity/fitness for role issues.
    • Also, if a mentor is to have access to players, training sessions etc, the club must ensure insurance, reputation, duty of care issues are covered.
  5. Potential mismatch in coaching skills
    • Being an excellent player doesn’t automatically make someone a good coach or mentor. It requires teaching skills, communication skills, patience, ability to analyse, plan, and provide consistent feedback.
    • There’s no strong public record of Barba doing those mentoring/coaching roles at a high level. It’s possible but unproven.
​

Weighing Up: Would I Employ Him (for Will Kennedy’s Development)?

If I were in charge of Cronulla Sharks, deciding whether to bring Barba in to mentor Will Kennedy, here is how I’d think:

  • Yes, I might consider it, but only under strict conditions — it's not a no‑brainer.
The upside is compelling: Barba’s skills, vision, past success, and firsthand knowledge could be hugely beneficial for a young fullback who wants to lift speed, awareness, attacking flair.

However, I’d only do it if Barba could satisfy certain criteria:

  1. Demonstrated personal rehabilitation and stability
    • I’d want to see sustained evidence that Barba has addressed his past issues (substance, behavioural, legal) — in terms of lifestyle, mental health, accountability.
  2. Defined role & boundaries
    • The mentoring role should be clearly scoped: maybe specific skills sessions (attacking awareness, reading defensive lines, positioning under kicks), rather than being given general coaching authority unless he has formal coaching credentials.
  3. Support structure & coaching accreditation
    • It would be helpful if Barba is given coaching training, or associating with experienced coaching staff, so that he can translate his playing intuition into coaching/mentoring.
  4. Contract and expectations
    • Include in contract expectations about behaviour, presence, professionalism, possibly off‑field support (counselling etc.).
  5. Monitoring and reporting
    • Regular reviews: on‑field contribution to Will’s development, off‑field behaviour, feedback from Will and coaches and whether it's helping.
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Send Will on a holiday to beautiful Mackay, train privately with Benny before pre season😄
 
bort said:
People used to say nobody else wanted Chad too. Played multiple more years, across three more clubs.

Clearly nobody else prioritised Kennedy but we needed him more than anyone and we got him. It doesn’t mean nobody else would have given him something.

That’s definitely not arguing we beat out half a dozen half million plus offers or anything. Just pointing out nobody else would want him has been said before and proven wrong before.

We were almost certainly his only starting opportunity.
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For 2026 at least. I think he’ll end up in Perth in 2027 and we will likely know if that is the case in the weeks ahead once Nov 1st comes and goes.
It was likely either sign on an extra year at the Sharks and have a final crack at winning a Premiership with this group or signing a bridging deal with Catalans for 2026.
 
#13 said:
For 2026 at least. I think he’ll end up in Perth in 2027 and we will likely know if that is the case in the weeks ahead once Nov 1st comes and goes.
It was likely either sign on an extra year at the Sharks and have a final crack at winning a Premiership with this group or signing a bridging deal with Catalans for 2026.
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It was always going to be somewhere local, no chance he leaves his pregnant mrs, or uproots her and heads to France
 
I hope WK is not banking on a gig from Perth, every player agent will be offering up a young FB on their books who are currently stuck behind all the established FB’s holding down a spot @ their current NRL club.
 
Bundy Shark said:
I hope WK is not banking on a gig from Perth, every player agent will be offering up a young FB on their books who are currently stuck behind all the established FB’s holding down a spot @ their current NRL club.
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If I'm Perth Bears, an experienced fullback that has played in prelims (and won't cost the earth) is exactly the type of player I would be targeting for the first two years.

Will Kennedy for around 500k would be a perfect fit.
 
apezza said:
If I'm Perth Bears, an experienced fullback that has played in prelims (and won't cost the earth) is exactly the type of player I would be targeting for the first two years.

Will Kennedy for around 500k would be a perfect fit.
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Agree but I’m not convinced they’ll go that way, if I’m WK, I’m preparing myself that his best chance of securing a contract of around that value will be in the ESL
 
Either view could happen and neither would surprise us. There'll be no shortage of FB options by the end of next year, I'm sure. If I were Will I'd be liking all of Mal's insta posts
 
Bundy Shark said:
Agree but I’m not convinced they’ll go that way, if I’m WK, I’m preparing myself that his best chance of securing a contract of around that value will be in the ESL
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I agree. Doesn't appear there were any takers for him next year, I suspect it will be the same in 2027. His best bet is Ison has a fizzer next year and we extend Will for another year.
 
Sparkles said:
Either view could happen and neither would surprise us. There'll be no shortage of FB options by the end of next year, I'm sure. If I were Will I'd be liking all of Mal's insta posts
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is that how it goes?
just like insta posts 😁


maybe he should be liking insta posts the coaches in the ESL 🤷‍♂️
he would go well over there. bevan french like
 
apezza said:
If I'm Perth Bears, an experienced fullback that has played in prelims (and won't cost the earth) is exactly the type of player I would be targeting for the first two years.

Will Kennedy for around 500k would be a perfect fit.
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This is the most logical move for the Bears IMO. The only other options appear to be Papenhuyzen who is most likely off to R360 and Bula who, if he does leave the Tigers, will likely opt to remain in Sydney over moving to WA.
 
It makes me wonder, if Liam Ison hadn’t done his ACL earlier this season, whether the Sharks would have opted to extend Kennedy for 2026 or not?
 
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