Wade Graham
Personal information
Born (1990-10-25) 25 October 1990
Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight106 kg (16 st 10 lb)
PositionSecond-row, Lock, Five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2008–10 Penrith Panthers 42 9 0 0 36
2011–23 Cronulla Sharks 255 41 0 2 166
Total 297 50 0 2 202
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2012–19 Prime Minister's XIII 2 0 0 0 0
2013–15 NSW City Origin 2 0 0 0 0
2016–20 Indigenous All Stars 3 0 0 0 0
2016–19 New South Wales 6 0 0 0 0
2017–19 Australia 8 4 0 0 16
2019 Australia 9s 4 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]

Wade Graham (born 25 October 1990) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played as a second-row forward and captained the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for Australia at international level.

Graham previously played for the Penrith Panthers between 2008 and 2010 in the NRL, and has played at representative level for the Prime Minister's XIII, City Origin, Indigenous All Stars and New South Wales in the State of Origin series.

Background

Graham was born in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia and is of Indigenous Australian descent - from Bundjalung people.[2]

Playing career

Graham played his junior rugby league for Blacktown City and attended The Hills Sports High School before being signed by the Penrith Panthers. Graham played for New South Wales under 16's and 18's,[3] as well as the Panthers Harold Matthews and SG Ball teams. Graham started the 2008 season in the NYC for the Penrith Panthers before being called up to the first-grade squad, still as a 17-year-old in high school.

2008

In round 15 of the 2008 NRL season, Graham was called up to make his NRL debut for the Penrith Panthers at five-eighth against the St George Illawarra Dragons in the 13–12 loss at ANZ Stadium.[4][5] Graham finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 8 matches for the Penrith club in the 2008 NRL season.

2009

In round 4 against the Wests Tigers, Graham scored his first NRL career try in Penrith's 42–22 win at Penrith Stadium.[6] Graham finished the 2009 NRL season with him playing in 22 matches and scoring five tries for the Penrith club.

2010

On 24 June 2010, Graham signed with Cronulla starting from 2011 with a desire to play regular first-grade football from the preference for the halves combinations of Travis Burns and Luke Walsh by the Penrith coach Matthew Elliot limited the number of games he could have played.[7][8] Graham finished the 2010 NRL season with him playing in 12 matches and scoring 4 tries for Penrith.

2011

In round 1 of the 2011 NRL season, Graham made his club debut for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks against the Canberra Raiders at halfback in Cronulla's 40–12 loss at Canberra Stadium.[9] In Round 4 against the New Zealand Warriors at Owen Delany Park in Taupō, New Zealand, Graham scored his first club try for Cronulla in the 26–18 loss.[10] Graham finished the 2011 NRL season with him playing in all of Cronulla's 24 matches, scoring six tries and kicking two field goals.

Graham lining up for the Prime Ministers XIII in 2012

2012

On 26 May 2012, Graham extended his contract with the Cronulla club for a further two seasons to the end of the 2014 season.[11] Graham finished the 2012 NRL season having played in 15 matches and scoring six tries.

Graham was invited to represent the Portugal national rugby league team in the 2012 Cabramatta International Nines tournament.[12]

2013

On 29 April 2013, Graham was among the first of many Cronulla players to be interviewed by ASADA, where controversy ensued regarding his attending the interview in casual attire.[13] Graham was selected for the NSW City team in the 2013 City vs Country Origin match off the interchange bench in City's 18–12 loss in Coffs Harbour.[14] In Round 17 against the Wests Tigers, Graham played his 100th NRL career match, scoring a try in Cronulla's 36–22 win at Remondis Stadium.[15] Graham finished the 2013 NRL season having played 23 matches and scoring two tries for Cronulla.

2014

In February 2014, Graham was selected in the Sharks inaugural 2014 Auckland Nines squad.[16] On 14 April 2014, Graham extended his contract with Cronulla-Sutherland for another three years to the end of the 2017 season after knocking back a $500,000 a season offer from the South Sydney Rabbitohs.[17][18] On 22 August 2014, Graham became one of the Cronulla players to accept reduced bans from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority for his role in the 2011 Sharks supplements scandal.[19] Graham finished off the 2014 NRL season having played 19 matches and scoring five tries.

2015

On 31 January and 1 February, Graham captained the Sharks in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines, after originally selected captain, Luke Lewis, was ruled out with injury.[20] On 3 May, Graham captained New South Wales City against New South Wales Country, playing at second-row in his team's 34–22 loss at Wagga Wagga.[21][22] He co-captained the Sharks alongside Michael Ennis for a period whilst Cronulla's regular captain Paul Gallen was sidelined due to injury. Graham finished the 2015 season having played in all of the Sharks 26 matches, and scoring four tries.[23] On 15 December, he was named on the interchange bench for the Indigenous All Stars due to play the NRL All Stars team on 13 February 2016.[24]

2016

On 13 January 2016, Graham was named in the emerging New South Wales Blues squad.[25] On 13 February 2016, Graham played for the Indigenous All Stars against the NRL All Stars, playing off the interchange bench in the 12–8 loss at Suncorp Stadium.[26]

Graham made his debut for New South Wales in game 3 of the 2016 State of Origin series, after having originally been selected to debut in Game 2, however being ineligible due to a suspension resulting from a high tackle on Jonathan Thurston in Cronulla's Round 14 win over the North Queensland Cowboys.

On 2 October, Graham was part of the Cronulla side that won the 2016 grand final to claim the club's first ever premiership.

2017

In 2017, Graham was selected for the 2017 State of Origin series. Graham was part of the Cronulla side which finished 5th at the end of the season. On 10 September, Cronulla played North Queensland in the first week elimination finals and suffered a 15-14 shock defeat.[27][28]

2018

In 2018, Graham was not selected for NSW by coach Brad Fittler for the 2018 State of Origin series due to being out with injury for most of the first half of the 2018 season.[29] In week one of the 2018 NRL finals, Graham was taken from the field in the first half during Cronulla's match against Eastern Suburbs with subsequent scans revealing the player had torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruling him out for the rest of the season.[30]

2019

Graham made his return for Cronulla in round 13 against Parramatta, which Cronulla won 42–22.[31] Graham was selected for Game 2 of the 2019 State of Origin series where he starred in New South Wales' 38–6 win at Perth Stadium.[32][33] Graham was retained for Game 3 of the series, which New South Wales won 26–20 at ANZ Stadium. It was the first time since 2005 that New South Wales had won back to back series.[34][35]

Graham was limited to ten appearances for Cronulla in the regular 2019 NRL season, where the club finished 7th. Graham played in the elimination final loss to Manly at Brookvale Oval.[36]

On 30 September, Graham was named in the second row and as captain of the Australia PM XIII. On 7 October, Graham was named in the Australian team for the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s, as well as the upcoming Oceania Cup fixtures.

2020

Graham played 19 games for Cronulla in the 2020 NRL season as the club finished 8th and qualified for the finals. He played in Cronulla's elimination final loss against Canberra.[37]

2021

Graham was limited to only 11 games for Cronulla in the 2021 NRL season which saw the club narrowly miss the finals by finishing 9th on the table.[38] Graham decided to end his season prematurely due to three head concussions he sustained including two in consecutive weeks.[39]

2022

Graham played a total of 18 games for Cronulla in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished second on the table and qualified for the finals. Graham played in both finals matches which saw Cronulla eliminated in straight sets.[40]

For his player advocacy work, Graham was given the prestigious Rugby League Players Association Dennis Tutty Award. RLPA CEO Clint Newton said "In particular, Wade was incredibly influential in the roll-back of the restrictive COVID protocols NRL and NRLW players were facing in January, in working with the Association to negotiate the players’ share of outperformance, and now as we get to the table with the NRL to negotiate our joint-CBA."[41]

2023

On 8 August, Graham announced his retirement at the end of the 2023 NRL season.[42] In round 24 of the 2023 NRL season, Graham played his 250th game for Cronulla and scored a try in their 36-6 victory over the Gold Coast.[43] In the 2023 elimination final, Graham would play his final game which was a 13-12 loss against the Sydney Roosters at Shark Park.[44]

Statistics

NRL

Statistics are correct as of the end of round 23 in the 2023 season[1]
Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2008 Penrith Panthers 800—00
2009 2250—020
2010 1240—016
2011 Cronulla-Sutherland 2460—226
2012 1960—024
2013 2320—08
2014 1950—020
2015 2640—016
2016 2620—08
2017 2250—020
2018 1830—012
2019 1010—04
2020 1940—016
2021 1100—00
2022 1810—04
2023 15 2 0 — 0 8
Career totals 297 50 0 — 2 202

All Star

Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2016 icon Indigenous All Stars 100—00
2017 100—00
2020 100—00
Career totals 3 0 0 — 0 0

City vs Country

Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2013 NSW City 100—00
2015 100—00
Career totals 2 0 0 — 0 0

State of Origin

Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2016 New South Wales 100—00
2017 300—00
2019 200—00
Career totals 6 0 0 — 0 0

International

Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2017 Australia 640—016
2019 200—00
Career totals 8 4 0 — 0 16

References

  1. 1 2 "Wade Graham - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  2. ↑ "Graham's Journey of Discovery". 10 February 2016.
  3. ↑ "Junior Rugby League News, Schoolboys rugby league news, nyc, toyota cup, nsw junior rep's". Ourfootyteam.com. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  4. ↑ "Wade's a study in toil and talent". The Age. 18 July 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  5. ↑ "Electrifying Duo Set for Debut". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  6. ↑ "Panthers Stun Tigers". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  7. ↑ Chris Barrett (23 July 2010). "Wade Graham to join Sharks". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  8. ↑ "Sharks Sign Penrith's Wade Graham". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  9. ↑ "Undermanned Raiders Thrash Sharks in One-Sided NRL Opener in Nation's Capital". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  10. ↑ "Warriors Record First Win of the 2011 NRL: Season Defeating Cronulla". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  11. ↑ "Wade Graham Knocks Back Penrith Offer to Stay at Cronulla Sharks". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  12. ↑ "Blake Austin explains how playing for Portugal came about". loverugbyleague. 7 February 2019.
  13. ↑ "Cronulla Sharks Forward Wade Graham Facing Fine for Fashion Disaster". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  14. ↑ "Country Overcome City in Close Clash". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  15. ↑ Glenn Jackson (5 July 2013). "Cronulla Sharks beat Wests Tigers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  16. ↑ "Squads For Auckland Nines". Rugby League Week. 14 February 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  17. ↑ "Sharks Re-Sign Stand-In Captain Wade Graham for a Further Three Seasons". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  18. ↑ "Rabbitohs Recruitment Drive Hits Another Wall as Wade Graham Opts to Stay with Cronulla Sharks". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  19. ↑ Brad Walter (21 August 2014). "Cronulla Sharks players accept doping bans". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  20. ↑ "Luke Lewis Ruled Out of Cronulla Sharks Squad with Knee Strain". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  21. ↑ "Country and City Origin sides announced". NRL.com. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  22. ↑ "Country overcome City in seesawing affair". NRL.com. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  23. ↑ "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  24. ↑ "Teams named for NRL All Stars match". NRL.com. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  25. ↑ "Daley names 2016 Emerging Blues". 13 January 2016.
  26. ↑ Chris Garry (13 February 2016). "World All Stars defeat Indigenous All Stars 12-8 at Suncorp Stadium". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  27. ↑ "North Queensland Cowboys break Cronulla Sharks' hearts with extra-time field goal winner". www.abc.net.au. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  28. ↑ "NSW backrower Wade Graham reveals what makes State of Origin a different beast". 8 July 2017.
  29. ↑ "Graham not giving up on an Origin recall". 7 June 2018.
  30. ↑ Matt Encarnacion (9 September 2018). "Scans confirm ACL tear for Sharks' Graham". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  31. ↑ "Cronulla Sharks' Bronson Xerri burns Parramatta Eels in NRL rout". Stuff.co.nz. 8 June 2019.
  32. ↑ "Latrell Mitchell dumped as NSW make seven changes for State of Origin Game 2". Guardian. 17 June 2019.
  33. ↑ "Fitness no issue for Graham as NSW consider Cleary replacements". NRL. 24 June 2019.
  34. ↑ "Emotional Blues legend Wayne Pearce opens up on his son Mitchell's battle". www.news.com.au.
  35. ↑ "New South Wales beat Queensland to win back-to-back series". BBC.
  36. ↑ "Under-strength Sea Eagles send Sharks packing". NRL.
  37. ↑ "Wighton, Williams spark Raiders comeback as Sharks finals hopes ended". www.foxsports.com.au.
  38. ↑ "Papenhuyzen back to best as Storm secure minor premiership". www.nrl.com.
  39. ↑ "'Sad to watch': Concerns raised after Sharks rule out Wade Graham despite passed HIA". www.sportingnews.com.
  40. ↑ "Young gun who can solve Sharks' big problem; masterstroke that can't be overlooked: Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au.
  41. ↑ "Wade recognised with prestigious RLPA award". Cronulla Sharks.
  42. ↑ "Cronulla veteran Wade Graham announces retirement". www.foxsports.com.au.
  43. ↑ "Trio's nervous wait as Titans face $15m reality; Sharks' unsung heroes star in win: Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au.
  44. ↑ "Sydney Roosters score 'wild' 13-12 NRL elimination final win over Cronulla Sharks, Penrith Panthers beat Warriors". www.abc.net.au.
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