Official William Kennedy

[Sir Chadley]

I'm trying to think of other slightly built fullbacks that went OK and Brett Hodgson comes to mind.

He got thrown around like a rag doll by Gorden Tallis that time but mainly despite how light he was, he was pretty tough and a good player.

Not exceptional but good.

In Will's case, I have to agree with Snowy a bit (just a bit!) and say he doesn't strike me as a first grader and I was saying this before he even debuted.

I hope I am way wrong but I think it will be easy to put him back to the Jets when our players come back.

Don't think we'll miss him.

 

[Sparkles]

I was asking the question after his first game, so I'm still to be convinced. Having said that, good judges has seen enough in the lower grades for him to get a shot at the top grade. I think we can do better for now, but I'd like to see what would happen with a few more games (not against red hot top 4 teams and half a Sharks side!) under his belt before I put his head on Snowy's stake.

And we've seen it go the other way, too. Blokes who looked like 'they have it' and didn't amount to much. Gardner springs to mind. So I can't subscribe to the idea you can see 'it' after a game or two, either way.

 

[Wiz]

I was asking the question after his first game, so I'm still to be convinced. Having said that, good judges has seen enough in the lower grades for him to get a shot at the top grade. I think we can do better for now, but I'd like to see what would happen with a few more games (not against red hot top 4 teams and half a Sharks side!) under his belt before I put his head on Snowy's stake.

And we've seen it go the other way, too. Blokes who looked like 'they have it' and didn't amount to much. Gardner springs to mind. So I can't subscribe to the idea you can see 'it' after a game or two, either way.

Still very early... he just needs to put on weight more then anything.

 

[HaroldBishop]

I'm trying to think of other slightly built fullbacks that went OK and Brett Hodgson comes to mind.

He got thrown around like a rag doll by Gorden Tallis that time but mainly despite how light he was, he was pretty tough and a good player.

Not exceptional but good.

In Will's case, I have to agree with Snowy a bit (just a bit!) and say he doesn't strike me as a first grader and I was saying this before he even debuted.

I hope I am way wrong but I think it will be easy to put him back to the Jets when our players come back.

Don't think we'll miss him.

Barba

 

[bort]

I was asking the question after his first game, so I'm still to be convinced. Having said that, good judges has seen enough in the lower grades for him to get a shot at the top grade. I think we can do better for now, but I'd like to see what would happen with a few more games (not against red hot top 4 teams and half a Sharks side!) under his belt before I put his head on Snowy's stake.

And we've seen it go the other way, too. Blokes who looked like 'they have it' and didn't amount to much. Gardner springs to mind. So I can't subscribe to the idea you can see 'it' after a game or two, either way.

Gards is probably a good comparison - short and light, but quick on his feet.
Did some really spectacular stuff but never quite mastered the ball playing and game reading/management he needed to overcome the fact he was tiny.

Kennedy hasn't done the flashy stuff yet either but I think there's still a valid comparison.

 

[bort]

Barba

176cm & 91kg apparently which if correct indicates he was probably a bit heavier than he looked... which compliments the fact he also was really quick and good in other areas too

Slater 178cm 89kg

 

[HaroldBishop]

176cm & 91kg apparently which if correct indicates he was probably a bit heavier than he looked... which compliments the fact he also was really quick and good in other areas too

Slater 178cm 89kg

Not when he first came into the NRL.

 

[bort]

Not when he first came into the NRL.

Yeah but that’s too hard to dig up
Though I’d say good chance he started above 80kg still if he finished up at 91

 

[TheMexican]

I'm trying to think of other slightly built fullbacks that went OK and Brett Hodgson comes to mind.

He got thrown around like a rag doll by Gorden Tallis that time but mainly despite how light he was, he was pretty tough and a good player.

Not exceptional but good.

.

It's a long tme ago now, but Docking was shorter than Barba and surely lighter too. But the players in general were smaller then so It's probably not a useful comparison.

 

[vicsharkfan]

It's a long tme ago now, but Docking was shorter than Barba and surely lighter too. But the players in general were smaller then so It's probably not a useful comparison.

Think back to how meniga use to stand out, think from memory he played 6’2 and 102kg. Jeez dont reckon you’d notice him now... that big mofo from Melbourne Nelson is mates with a kiwi guy I work with, meet him during the off season at a engagement party wholly bat siiht talk about big unit..

 

[Thresher]

Slater and Barba both used to catch and go to ground if they were close to their line and there were no obvious gaps to step through. Got to understand your weak points - and get good support from the rest of the team to make sure you don't get rag-dolled.

 

[Sparkles]

But Slater being ragdolled was one of my favourite things in life. Especially in origin!

 

[CrazyMatt]

https://www.sharks.com.au/news/2019/09/20/kennedy-jets-into-new-sharks-contract-for-2020/

Young fullback Will Kennedy, who continues to play a leading role in the Newtown Jets 2019 Canterbury Cup campaign, has extended his contract with the Sharks into the 2020 season.

Making his NRL debut for the Sharks in their round six match against the Panthers at PointsBet Stadium, in a game won 24-20 by the Cronulla side, the 22-year-old proved to be an extremely capable deputy when called into the top grade this year.

The new one year deal allows Kennedy’s game to further develop and for him to push for more NRL appearances next season and in the years to come, which is something he has set his goals on in 2020.

Sharks coach John Morris was pleased to again have Kennedy on board for next year, with his signing now seeing all six Cronulla rookies to debut in the NRL this year signed for the club for the 2020 season.

“Will has been a part of our elite pathways system since he was in the under 18’s and we have high hopes for his future,” Morris said. “It was good for him to experience the NRL this year and he has been a standout for the Jets in the Canterbury Cup.

“His goal is to play more NRL in 2020 and after another pre-season, if he can continue to develop and improve there is no reason why he won’t.

“Will is of the highest character and like our other debutants its great he’s shown loyalty to the club by extending his contract,” Morris added.

As intimated by Morris, Kennedy joins fellow young guns and 2019 debut players Bronson Xerri, Billy Magoulias, Blayke Brailey and Ronaldo Mulitalo in committing to the Sharks next season wile also looking to tie down permanent positions in the Sharks NRL side.

Originally from Bathurst, Kennedy made the move to the Sharks and to the Shire to first represent the club in the SG Ball competition.

From there he excelled in the 18’s and then 20’s and has since been a shining light in his two seasons for the Sharks NSWRL partner club the Newtown Jets.

In 2019 Kennedy has crossed for 15 tries, to sit just one four-pointer behind the competition’s leading try scorer, while also ranking in the top 10 for line breaks and first fir kick return metres in his 21 games for the Jets.

Kennedy was again outstanding for Newtown in their win over the Bears last weekend and will wear the number one jersey on Sunday when they play the St George Illawarra Dragons for a place in the Canterbury Cup Grand Final.

 

[snowman]

stoked

 

[CrazyMatt]

Not convinced on him just yet as a first grader, but I am pleased he’s getting another opportunity to learn and develop with us.

 

[Milkshark]

I'm gonna put some trust in the club here

 

[Hughesy215]

Get him in the gym... cya in 7-8kgs of muscle Will.

 

[puma1355]

not convinced at all...

 

[Gumby]

not convinced at all...

Likewise

 

[sharks for life]

Likewise

He reminds me of moylan **** under the high ball but has silky skills. I'm not convinced moylan is a first grader but for what we are paying this bloke he could be handy if he works on his weaknesses.