‘I didn’t want to go anywhere else’: Biggest move of free agency period as Braydon Trindall inks new deal to stay with the Sharks

One of the most sought after playmakers is officially off the market after Cronulla playmaker Braydon Trindall agreed to a new three-year deal that will keep him at the Sharks until the end of the 2028 season.

The show of faith in Trindall from the club comes after he failed a roadside test which showed alcohol and illicit drugs in his system. He entered rehab and spent five weeks on out of the game.

But Trindall returned in terrific form and he led the Sharks to within one win of a grand final berth, with the classy playmaker producing the best half of his career as Cronulla claimed a drought-breaking finals win against the Cowboys.

The 25-year-old showed his value in the back half of the season as he became the club’s chief playmaker while Nicho Hynes was out injured, with Trindall upping his involvements even when the former Dally M Medal winner returned.

There were fears he could be headed elsewhere in 2026 given he waited until November 1, but Trindall put those fears to bed immediately, revealing he “didn’t want to go anywhere else”.

Trindall’s decision to re-sign now shifts the focus to Daniel Atkinson who had a breakout season at the Sharks but is off contract at the of 2025, with rivals willing to offer him a significant upgrade if he wants more opportunities.

That’ll play out in the coming weeks, but for now Sharks fans are just glad that Trindall has put pen to paper just months after he faced an uncertain future after he failed a roadside test which showed alcohol and illicit drugs in his system.

He sought help and vowed to repay the club, with his performances on the field and the decision to extend his stay proof that he’s a man of his word.

“I didn’t want to go anywhere else,” Trindall said after starring in his fifth season for the club.

“The club has put a lot of trust in me over the years, so I’m just looking forward to repaying them and repaying the fans.

“I just love this place; I love the club, I love the people here, I just love the whole organisation.

“I came here when I was 18, did a lot of growing and still have a lot of growing to do. I’m just looking forward to it and I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.”