THERE has been plenty of talk surrounding injuries and contracts for the Cronulla Sharks in the build up to the NRL season opener, but for Will Kennedy the key word is opportunity.
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The Bathurst league talent could very well find himself as the Sharks' starting fullback come their round one clash with South Sydney on March 14.
This season marks Kennedy's third as a full-time member of the Sharks' NRL squad, but when he began training ahead of 2020 few expected him to be in Cronulla's number one jumper come round one.
However, regular fullback Matt Moylan is dealing with a temperamental calf injury that limits his ability to train while Josh Dugan - who has also plenty of experience in the custodian's role - is battling a knee complaint.
Bronson Xerri is also in doubt for round one as he recovers from shoulder surgery, while Josh Morris wants a release to join his brother Brett at the Sydney Roosters.
It has placed a big strain on the back line options for Sharks coach John Morris, but it has also boosted Kennedy's prospects.
The Bathurst product played two games at fullback for the Sharks in 2019, the round six win over Penrith and round seven defeat at the hands of Brisbane. He got his opportunity when Moylan was sidelined with injury.
During those appearances Kennedy made a combined six tackle breaks, 10 tackles and 207 running metres.
Then Sharks skipper Paul Gallen offered him plenty of praise.
"He's been part of our full time system for two or three years now and look, I compare him to Andrew Johns at training," Gallen said.
"He absolutely carves us to pieces at training all the time. I haven't seen too many better at training. If he can do half of what he does at training in a game, he'll be an absolute superstar."
During the Sharks' pre-season campaign, Kennedy has been impressive as well.
It began at the NRL Nines in Perth in early February when he was used off the bench in the 27-5 loss against St George and the 25-4 victory against the Bulldogs.
The match against the Bulldogs was his best as he made six tackle breaks and gained 28 metres in his three runs.
Two trials followed and Kennedy, a St Pat's junior who first linked with the Sharks as a 17-year-old, started in both.
In the 30-16 loss to the Bulldogs at Port Morseby's PNG Football Stadium in February, Kennedy scored the Sharks' first try.
He gained 73 metres from his nine runs, had a line break, defused two kicks and had a 77.8 percent tackling efficiency rate.
Kennedy was again the starting fullback in Sunday's trial with Manly, sharing the role with Morris.
As Cronulla won 28-16, Kennedy had one line break, a try assist and made 78 metres from his 10 runs. He threw 10 passes and made 13 tackles.
Regardless of who coach Morris opts to start as fullback in round one, Kennedy will continue to push for more NRL minutes.
