Wade Graham

Wade Graham (born 25 October 1990) is a rugby league player who currently plays for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League. Graham previously played for the Penrith Panthers between 2008-2010 and primarily plays at a lock, second-row and five-eighth.

Background

Born in Blacktown, New South Wales, Graham played his junior football 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,^[2] 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.

Playing career

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.^[3][4] Graham finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 8 matches for the Panthers in the 2008 NRL season.

2009

In Round 4 against the Wests Tigers, Graham scored his first NRL career try in the Panthers 42-22 win at Penrith Stadium.^[5] Graham finished the 2009 NRL season with him playing in 22 matches and scoring 5 tries for the Panthers.

2010

On 24 June 2010, Graham signed with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 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.^[6][7] Graham finished the 2010 NRL season with him playing in 12 matches and scoring 4 tries for the Panthers.

2011

In Round 1 of the 2011 NRL season, Graham his club debut for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks against the Canberra Raiders at halfback in the Sharks 40-12 loss at Canberra Stadium.^[8] In Round 4 against the New Zealand Warriors at Owen Delany Park in Taupo, New Zealand, Graham scored his first club try for the Sharks in the 26-18 loss.^[9] Graham finished the 2011 NRL season with him playing in all the Sharks 24 matches, scoring 6 tries and kicking 2 field goals.

2012

On 26 May 2012, Graham extended his contract with the Sharks for a further two seasons to the end of the 2014 season.^[10] Graham finished the 2012 NRL season with played in 15 matches and scoring 6 tries for the Sharks.

2013

On 29 April 2013, Graham was among the first of many Sharks players to be interviewed by ASADA, however he caused controversy by attending the interview in casual attire.^[11] 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.^[12] In Round 17 against the Wests Tigers, Graham played 100th NRL career match, scoring a try in the Sharks 36-22 win at Remondis Stadium.^[13] Graham finished the 2013 NRL season with him playing in 23 matches and scoring 2 tries for the Sharks.

2014

In February 2014, Graham was selected in the Sharks inaugural 2014 Auckland Nines squad.^[14] On 14 April 2014, Graham extended his contract with the Sharks for another 3 years to the end of the 2017 season after knocking back a $500,000 a season offer from the South Sydney Rabbitohs.^[15][16] On 22 August 2014, Graham became one of the Sharks players to accept reduced bans from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority for his role in the 2011 Sharks supplements scandal.^[17] Graham finished off the 2014 NRL season with him playing 19 matches and scoring 5 tries for the Sharks.

References

• Sharks profile
• Penrith Panthers profile
• Schoolboy to follow in Freddy's footsteps