Wade Graham

[Paul C]

Should he be named as Captain next year ?
Love the dude but never felt like a capable captain as it is.
We have some Great leaders on-board now

It's very early days but I like the way Nicho gets himself involved and sets an example. He may be a Captain option.

 

[bort]

It's very early days but I like the way Nicho gets himself involved and sets an example. He may be a Captain option.

A future captain option down the line I assume?
No way he jumps Wade, Cam and Dale.

 

[puma1355]

So with a still a chance do you think he makes the trip to Qld incase we play semi's - will he play since he has a whole offseason to get pver another knock?

 

[apezza]

I wouldn't think so. Only 2 rounds to go and they are even stricter now getting exemption to go into QLD. Would have to leave pretty much now.

 

[gando2230]

DT reports today that Wades season is officially over.
He will not perform any contact drills until late January.

 

[CrazyMatt]

DT reports today that Wades season is officially over.
He will not perform any contact drills until late January.

That’s for the best in my view.

 

[egg]

That’s for the best in my view.

100%
Come back totally rejuvenated , give it your best shot and show us the Old Dog still has heaps to offer.

 

[Proud Shark]

DT reports today that Wades season is officially over.
He will not perform any contact drills until late January.

The article was a great read. He said he had a sit down with Cordner after he retired and came away feeling really confident as his experience was vastly different.

 

[apezza]

Yep confirmed on NRL website aswell

 

[egg]

https://www.zerotackle.com/cronulla-captain-promises-to-return-from-concussion-setbacks-108842/

 

[andrew's_sharks]

I am expecting a massive improvement from Graham next year.

I think having an extended off season will actually be really good for him and give him the chance to get his body right. Not to mention it provides extra time to work on his tackling technique.

 

[apezza]

Hopefully with a few senior players coming in around him (who actually put 100% effort in each week) will give him a new lease of life.

 

[snowman]

I am expecting a massive improvement from Graham next year.

I think having an extended off season will actually be really good for him and give him the chance to get his body right. Not to mention it provides extra time to work on his tackling technique.

i wouldnt expect much from an over 30's with a shot knee and a head knock away from retirement

 

[Blix]

i wouldnt expect much from an over 30's with a shot knee and a head knock away from retirement

Has been average last 3 years and has gotten progressively worse.

Yes we all love him as a person but he has been playing since he was 17 and has played a load of football.

The game has gotten significantly quicker in the last 3 years and he has gotten significantly slower.

To think he is going to miraculously return back to the player he was 5 years ago just is not going to happen.

I really wish him all the best but see him as more of a problem then solution in regards to Cronulla’s soft pack.

Really hoping that the leadership goes to Finucane next season

 

[HaroldBishop]

Has been average last 3 years and has gotten progressively worse.

Yes we all love him as a person but he has been playing since he was 17 and has played a load of football.

The game has gotten significantly quicker in the last 3 years and he has gotten significantly slower.

To think he is going to miraculously return back to the player he was 5 years ago just is not going to happen.

I really wish him all the best but see him as more of a problem then solution in regards to Cronulla’s soft pack.

Really hoping that the leadership goes to Finucane next season

Hard to disagree with that.

 

[andrew's_sharks]

i wouldnt expect much from an over 30's with a shot knee and a head knock away from retirement

The head knock I don't think will be such an issue as long as he fixes his tackling and doesn't keep having them which is what the off season is for.

Sure he has had an ACL reco, but his knee is not like Fifita's. We could still easily get a good year or two out of him. Maybe not to the same level as 2016, but still could be a good performer for us.

He really needs a good solid off season to get his body right, which he will have and this is why I think he could be good for us next year. He literally will have more than 6 months to get his body right before round one and his tackling right.

 

[Wizard]

The head knock I don't think will be such an issue as long as he fixes his tackling and doesn't keep having them which is what the off season is for.

Sure he has had an ACL reco, but his knee is not like Fifita's. We could still easily get a good year or two out of him. Maybe not to the same level as 2016, but still could be a good performer for us.

He really needs a good solid off season to get his body right, which he will have and this is why I think he could be good for us next year. He literally will have more than 6 months to get his body right before round one and his tackling right.

I feel like he’s getting past it..one head knock and it’s back to square one.. if he is back on the field it should be without captain next to his name. I reckon it hampers his performance and psyche in a negative way

 

[Sparkles]

You get the feeling the way this plays out is he gets through pre season, training the house down, then gets HIA'd two rounds in and has to hang them up.

Hope it doesn't.

 

[gumby]

I see Fitz starting this bloke on the bench for the first month.
Think he could be a real good impact player for us until he’s back to 100% confidence then can start him
Again.

 

[bort]

I see Fitz starting this bloke on the bench for the first month.
Think he could be a real good impact player for us until he’s back to 100% confidence then can start him
Again.

I don't see much point in that. He's just had how long off and leading into preseason at full fitness. Probably play in a trial or two. Can't imagine he gets benched for confidence.
Not like we have other second rowers going so well currently they are clearly ahead of even an out of form Wade anyway.