After seven rounds of the 2025 NRL season, Will Kennedy finds himself in sole possession of the top spot on the Dally M leaderboard.
The Sharks fullback has flown under the radar for most of his NRL career, however, after another standout performance on Easter Sunday against the Knights, he is beginning to get the recognition he's long deserved.
The impact he has on his side hasn't gone unnoticed by his teammates. Those within the Sharks inner sanctum have long known what the rest of the competition is beginning to realise - Kennedy is one of the best players in the world.
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Addin Fonua-Blake, who joined the Sharks this season, was quick to point out his fullback's elite skills and effort at a media scrum on Wednesday.
"He’s pretty freaky," said Fonua-Blake.
"The way he’s able to catch the ball and step at the same time; it doesn't go lost on us big boys,"
"He does the stuff that no one really wants to do. [He takes] those tough carries and he’s there saving tries so he’s definitely up there."
Kennedy entered the year under a mountain of pressure. His contract expires at the end of this season and young gun Liam Ison was breathing down his neck after a standout debut in 2024.
The 28-year-old seems to have put all that to the back of his mind to start 2025.
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Despite elite performances in the Sharks first seven games, teammate Teig Wilton believes that one of the keys to Kennedy's success is his low-key personality.
"Will’s pretty humble, he’s a pretty quiet guy," he said.
"He goes under the radar. I think he’s been absolutely unreal for us at the start of the year."
That humility is a compliment to a player who is continually building in confidence. Siosifa Talakai has witnessed this development first hand and knows what his fullback is capable of.
"[His progression has been] massive, just leaps and bounds," he said.
"On any given day, Will with his confidence at its utmost peak, I don't see any other fullback touching him,"
"There’s still room for growth for him as well, it’s scary what he can do."
Kennedy's consistency, paired with individual moments of brilliance, has produced the best form of his professional career.
Even if he doesn't seek out the spotlight, if he continues to play at this level, it's going to find him anyway because he's right in the thick of the Dally M race.