final time – Michmutters
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transfer news, contracts, re-signings, Siosifa Talakai, Will Kennedy, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien, Sharks

The Sharks “have got a challenge in front of them” with five stars from their backline all free to talk to rivals since November 1.

Fullback Will Kennedy, wingers Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sione Katoa as well as centers Jesse Ramien and Siosifa Talakai come off contract at the end of 2023.

That means they can field offers from rivals in just under three months time which is why news corp journalist Brent Read pointed out on Triple M that the Sharks have “a huge month coming up” if they want to lock in all five players before the November 1 feeding frenzy.

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“I reckon Cronulla have got a huge month coming up,” Read said.

“I was talking to them this morning about Siosifa Talakai because they’ve been trying to re-sign him — he’s one of the November 1 guys.

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“The Sharks have been talking to him ages about trying to get a new deal done, they put it off during Origin but they’ve ramped them up again.

“What makes this really interesting is that if you look at the Cronulla backline — Will Kennedy, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien, Siosifa Talakai and Sione Katoa — can all sign with another club since November 1. Basically their entire backline, the club’s got about three months to tie those guys down.

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“They’ve got a challenge in front of them in terms of keeping that squad together and you’ve got to hope that it doesn’t become a bit of a distraction during finals time.

Read also highlighted how Talakai’s value has undoubtedly increased since the Sharks began talks with him given the 25-year-old has made his State of Origin debut since then.

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“I would have thought his price has gone gangbusters since then,” he said.

Kennedy is also in line for a pay rise after claiming the Sharks’ Player of the Year honors last season, while Ronaldo Mulitalo became a Kiwi international this year and Jesse Ramien has been in red-hot form, as was Sione Katoa before his season- ending shoulder injury.

“It’s going to cost them a lot of money to keep all of those guys,” Read said.

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Sports

West Coast Eagles vs Adelaide, Josh Kennedy shakes hands of Crows players, retirement, final game, guard of honor

Josh Kennedy goes down as West Coast’s greatest ever goal kicker, but it’s the veteran’s humility and class that has won praise from his opposition for more than a decade.

After being chaired from the ground on Sunday, as his eight goals fell just short of dragging the West Coast to victory over Adelaide, Kennedy then showed why he is one of the game’s most humble stars.

Kennedy turned back to the Crows and then took the time to shake hands with every player and staff member who joined the Eagles in forming the guard of honor.

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The “classy act” just epitomizes the Eagles’ great who bows out after 293 games and 723 goals – with a premiership, three All Australian jumpers and two Coleman Medals.

And he remained humble through his final press conference too.

“The boys fed me a fair bit. There was probably a lot of ball that came my way that it shouldn’t have,” he said.

“There was a few times pre game, at half time and at the end there where there were moments you know it’s finishing.

“I love being a part of those games, whether you win or lose, I love being a part of those close games.”

Kennedy kicks EIGHT in his finale! | 01:25

Kennedy admitted to feeling nervous in the match and a “little numb” after departing the Optus Stadium turf for the final time, in front of more than 50,000 fans.

“It’s interesting finishing your last game for a while. I’ve never experienced it,” he said.

“You (coach Adam Simpson) were probably yelling in the box but someone handballed over to Boots (Shuey) and he was shoulders out, he had JD (Darling) long inside 50 but he looked inboard to try and handball to me and Liam ( Ryan) ended up stuffing the kick.

“I just thought, ‘boys let’s chill. We need to win this game. Let’s not focus on me’.”

Kennedy even overcame the emotion of losing his best friend’s nana, whose funeral was just days ago, and a woman who helped him as a kid in Northampton.

Josh J. Kennedy gets chaired off the ground in his final game. Picture: Daniel CarsonSource: Getty Images

“She grew us all up back in Northampton. She loved the Eagles. It was a special one for her,” he said.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson was full of praise for Kennedy’s performance in his final match.

“Can you imagine kicking eight in your last game?” I have laughed.

“Unfortunately in that last bit we couldn’t get the four points. But outside that, we tried our hardest.”

Even pre-game Kennedy was at his humble best, stating he just wanted a win for the boys.

“I don’t care if I don’t get a kick, I just want to win and to sing the song one more time in here,” he said.

With his final address as an Eagles player, Kennedy took the time to thank the fans for bringing a “tear to the eye.”

“We as footballers, we’re out there to perform and it feels sometimes, I recognize the consensus is we give a lot to the fans, but they give us so much. They make our game great,” he said.

“They are the reason why we play football.

“And it’s not just home ground – all the fans of the AFL.

“I’ve been so lucky in my carer… it brings a tear to my eye. I can’t thank them enough.”

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