The former Sharks hooker, who made Newcastle his home last year after signing a three-year deal, has agreed to a three-year extension that will take him out until the end of the 2025 season. He's expected to officially sign his new contract next week.

Brailey's teammates were told of his new deal by Adam O'Brien on Thursday night after the side secured a place in the finals series with a gripping 15-14 win over the Gold Coast Titans with the coach confirming the news yesterday.

"Yeah, it's right - I let the players know he had extended his contract last night," O'Brien told the Newcastle Herald.

"It's a real shot in the arm for us that Brails wants to be here long term and is confident in where we are headed. He was already signed for next year but will be here until at least the end of 25 now.

"We won't always keep everyone but he'll be crucial for us going forward."

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After playing just two games in 2020 in his first season at the club before undergoing a knee reconstruction, the 25-year-old hooker has consistently been among his side's best this year.

A workaholic, he leads the NRL defensive stats after making more than 1000 tackles in 22 games at an average of almost 50 per game. Sidelined Dragons hooker Andrew McCullough is the only other player to have made more than 900 tackles heading into this weekend's round. Brailey's service from dummy half has also been top-shelf.

"He's an outstanding guy to have at the club," O'Brien said. "He's added a lot to us just with his effort. He never lets you down in that regard and just his calming influence on the team in the middle is a big plus for us. Everyone loves him."

Currently sharing the captaincy role with Kalyn Ponga, O'Brien claims Brailey has grown as a leader.

"He's calm, he never gets over-the-top frustrated and that's what we need," O'Brien said. "He's learning all the time with how to work with the referees. He's measured when he approaches them, he's not aggressive and he's always pretty calculated."