Bailey to be a Shark for three more years
Sharks utility Phil Bailey has agreed to terms, which will see him, continue to play for the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks through to the end of the 2007 season.
Bailey, who turned 24 this week, agreed to a three-year deal and looks forward to being a part of the Sharks first Premiership winning team.
Im very happy to have re-signed and pleased to be staying in the Shire. I enjoy living and playing down here, Bailey said. Weve got a good young squad at the Sharks and I want to be here to help to bring the first Premiership to the club.
Now in his third season for the Sharks, Bailey has unselfishly slotted into the unfamiliar centre position in 2003 and during the early part of 2004, acquitted himself well enough as a backline player to be chosen to represent both NSW and Australia.
Coach Stuart Raper appreciates the fact that Bailey has put the team first by often filling gaps where most needed in the Sharks line up.
Phils chances in rep football havent been helped by the fact that he has had to be so flexible in where he plays, Raper said. But he hasnt complained about it and has always put the team first.
In saying that though Phils form for us this year has been very good and I can see him making more rep teams in the future.
Raper was also looking forward to having Bailey play a big part in the future of the Sharks at least for the next few years.
Phil Bailey has shown himself to be a very important part of what were trying to do here at the Sharks, Raper added.
Sharks General Manager Steve Rogers was also pleased a deal had eventually been finalised between the Sharks, Bailey and his management representatives.
After some lengthy negotiations were pleased with the outcome and happy that Phil has agreed to terms for the next three seasons, Rogers said. In the short time he has been at the Sharks he has become a good clubman and I feel that Phil can develop into a great player for this club.
Bailey, originally from Inverell, came to the Sharks in 2002 after having previously played for Manly and the Northern Eagles. He has since played 51 games in the NRL for the Sharks, including all 11 Premiership matches thus far in 2004. Bailey was selected for the 2003 Kangaroo Tour and has played two tests for Australia and three State of Origin games for NSW.
Bailey will pack down at lock forward for the Sharks in tomorrows match against South Sydney at Toyota Park.
In further re-signing news, the Sharks have also commenced negotiations with Paul Gallen, Danny Nutley and Michael Sullivan and hope to be able to make some announcements in regards to the future of those players sometime soon.
Hopefully Sully will be the next to be re-signed!
