Injured-plagued Sharks fullback set to earn lifeline from NRL club…
Kade Dykes, the 23‑year‑old fullback from the Cronulla Sharks, has endured a nightmare run of injuries over the past three seasons:
Underwent cartilage-restoring surgery on the same knee in 2024.
This year (April), he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his other knee, ending his season.
Despite having played just nine NSW Cup matches across three years and only two first-grade games (both in 2022), he’s reportedly on the brink of a fresh opportunity. Sources suggest he’s set to sign with the Canterbury‑Bankstown Bulldogs for the 2026 season, hoping to reset his career next year.
Dykes also has a strong family Sharks connection—he’s the son of Adam Dykes and grandson of John Dykes, both former Cronulla players.
The terms of his proposed deal haven’t been revealed yet.
Talent & adversity: Dykes is recognised as a promising fullback, but recurring injuries have severely limited his development.
A fresh start: Linking up with the Bulldogs may give him a clean slate—unless setbacks continue, he could learn from established backs such as Connor Tracey, Stephen Crichton, and Jacob Kiraz at his new club.
Contract details unknown: It’s still unclear whether this will be a long-term deal, a development contract, or structured around injury clauses.
Let me know if you’d like more details on:
Bulldogs’ current fullback roster.
Historical examples of players bouncing back from injury setbacks.
Injury rehabilitation approaches in the NRL.
Or anything else rugby league‑relate
