PLAYING good, consistent football - that is the goal for Bathurst rugby league talent Will Kennedy as he hopes to secure a contract extension with the Cronulla Sharks.
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Kennedy is off contract with the NRL club at the end of the 2020 season, but the 23-year-old is hoping his form at fullback for the Sharks will see him retained.
This season the St Pat's graduate has made eight appearances at fullback and in that time he's earned praise for his efforts.
The latest to see the potential in Kennedy is Steve Renouf, a star centre who represented both Queensland and Australia.
"Will Kennedy at fullback is a good lad and I am impressed with what he has done in the last 18 months with his spark," he said.
"When the coach brings him in, he does the job."
Kennedy has scored three tries this season and also has six assists, he averages 110 metres per game and has a 80.7 percent tackling efficiency.
They are solid statistics and Kennedy is hoping to keep improving them.
"I'm probably trying to take big steps, but I'll be taking it one game at time, I'm just trying to focus on playing consistent footy," he said.
"I haven't been going too bad, it's probably just those one-off errors that I need to fix in my game and are probably letting me down.
"Other than that I'm working well with the team and trying to do my best for the team.
"I will just focus on footy and hopefully if I can keep playing well I can seal a contract with the Sharks again potentially."
In a good sign for Kennedy that his efforts are being noticed is that even with the return of Josh Dugan and Matt Moylan for Sunday's clash with Parramatta, he has retained the fullback role.
Boith Dugan and Moylan have worn the number one jumper during the season, but coach John Morris will use them in other roles against the Eels.
Dugan will line up at centre as he plays his 200th NRL game, while Moylan will start at five-eighth.
The Sharks have won six of their last seven matches to be sitting in sixth on the ladder, but climbing further with a win over the Eels will not be easy.
The Eels have won 10 of their 12 games to be sitting in third and boast the best defence in the league.
It is defence where Kennedy knows he and his team-mates must be strong if wish to upset their rivals.
"We're a very good attacking side. I think when we attack well we defend well, so that's one of the big things we focus on ... our main focus is really our defence, then our attack will come off the back of that," he said.
Kick-off on Sunday is at 4.05pm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
