Fan favourite’s loyalty: Toby Rudolf to extend with the Sharks

Cronulla favourite Toby Rudolf is expected to re-sign with the Sharks for two more years through to 2026, The Sporting Base has learned, despite bigger money offers coming from several NRL rivals.

The Sharks forward is off-contract at the end of 2024 and has been free to negotiate with other NRL teams since November 1, but is on the verge of signing that two-year extension that will keep him playing in sky blue and likely means he’ll bring up his 100th game with the club sometime in the next seasons.

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The 27-year-old has already played 81 games for the Sharks since debuting in 2020 and quickly won the hearts of Cronulla fans across the Shire with his on-field work and off-field character.

He has scored four tries in those 81 games and averages 108 metres a match.

Securing Rudolf will be a big deal for head coach Craig Fitzgibbon, who is having to navigate several off-contract re-signings looming up at the end of 2024. The biggest headache has been in the forwards, where Braden Hamlin-Uele is also about to become a free agent. The Sporting Base has yet to hear if he will stay.

With Rudolf locked in to 2026, the Sharks have a strong core to build around, including the favoured second rower as well as Blayke Brailey, Sione Katoa, Jesse Ramien, Siosifa Talakai, and of course, Nicho Hynes, the latter of whom is earning $1,100,000 a year through to 2028.

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The Sporting Base understands there were several other Sydney suitors who spoke to Rudolf’s party early in the free agency period this month, but none that progressed beyond inquiries.