Wade Graham

[Proud Shark]

Cronulla is facing a dilemma over the future of skipper Wade Graham.

The talented backrower has been an ornament to the game and given the Sharks great service over the past 12 seasons.

But Graham, who turns 32 in October, is after a new deal with the club and officials are weighing up whether to sign him to a new contract.

Graham's best football is behind him and injuries are a major concern - he played just 11 games last season and six so far this year.

The club is set to retain Kiwi Test forward Briton Nikora after it appeared he would be lost to a rival NRL team, and young forwards Jesse Colquhoun and Todd Hazleton have recently agreed to new deals.

Signing Graham to a new contract could hold back some of the good young players coming through the ranks and this decision shapes as the toughest to date for coach Craig Fitzgibbon.

If the Sharks don't re-sign the ball-playing forward, they are certain to offer him an off-field role, such is the respect in which he is held within the organisation.

 

[Wizard]

I don't see the dilemma, don't extend him. Easy.

I do. I’d be very suprised if we don’t extend him… especially if re signing Moylan is true for 800k seems like we’re not interested in being ruthless

 

[HaroldBishop]

I do. I’d be very suprised if we don’t extend him… especially if re signing Moylan is true for 800k seems like we’re not interested in being ruthless

Yeah but I mean it shouldn't be a dilemma.

I agree, we need to be ruthless here.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

Yeah but I mean it shouldn't be a dilemma.

I agree, we need to be ruthless here.

It's not really being ruthless - it's just being pragmatic. We need to put the best 17 on the field. Unfortunatrly, that does not seem to involve Wade anymore.

Players chase more money all the time, so I do not see it being any different.

It's not personal it's just business.

 

[Wizard]

It's not really being ruthless - it's just being pragmatic. We need to put the best 17 on the field. Unfortunatrly, that does not seem to involve Wade anymore.

Players chase more money all the time, so I do not see it being any different.

It's not personal it's just business.

not when we have SuperCoach starting Graham over Teig

 

[Sevshark]

Can't wait to get a look at Todd Hazelton...

Seriously how can you expect anyone to take anything you say with even a grain of belief if you don't even fact-check a players name?

 

[Sharkpark]

Graham's been a very good player for us other the years, but as his career is winding down, he's become surplus to requirement.
We have better (maybe not quite as versatile) and gasp! younger options.
We do need his leadership / experience off the field to help his successors grow, but I reckon he should look elsewhere if he wants to keep on playing in first grade.

I'll always have a soft spot for him though, many highlights from going to an Asada hearing in sandals to winning the premiership.

 

[Shortfin Mako]

not when we have SuperCoach starting Graham over Teig

Maybe that’s good too. Then Wade will have no reason to complain because Fitzy can just say to him “Look, I have given you every chance that I can but it just doesn’t work. So, sorry.”

 

[andrew's_sharks]

One more year is ok if the price is right and if he does not expect a starting spot. Happy for him to be in the squad for 300k and come off the bench. If he wants 800k and a starting spot that is completely different.

 

[Sparkles]

It's all about the money, surely. Even Gal took a scaled-down roll in his final year(s). The reality is that we can't hang on to Wade at the expense of young talent coming through.
You need a couple of old heads around and Wade fits the bill really well.
And he looks ready to play on, so if it's not here he'd easily get a 2-3 year deal off-shore you'd think, which would likely mean losing him for an on-field role.

I hope they find the right deal for Wade. For now and post-footy at the Sharks.

 

[Thresher]

I think the final call should come from djhabib

 

[HaroldBishop]

It's all about the money, surely. Even Gal took a scaled-down roll in his final year(s). The reality is that we can't hang on to Wade at the expense of young talent coming through.
You need a couple of old heads around and Wade fits the bill really well.
And he looks ready to play on, so if it's not here he'd easily get a 2-3 year deal off-shore you'd think, which would likely mean losing him for an on-field role.

I hope they find the right deal for Wade. For now and post-footy at the Sharks.

The ball is in our court.

He showed his cards when he said his partner needs to be in Australia for another 12 months to get citizenship.

I'd prefer not to keep him at all but we've lost the plot if we keep him for anything more than 250-300k.

 

[Wizard]

The ball is in our court.

He showed his cards when he said his partner needs to be in Australia for another 12 months to get citizenship.

I'd prefer not to keep him at all but we've lost the plot if we keep him for anything more than 250-300k.

Big time

 

[Sparkles]

The ball is in our court.

He showed his cards when he said his partner needs to be in Australia for another 12 months to get citizenship.

I'd prefer not to keep him at all but we've lost the plot if we keep him for anything more than 250-300k.

Ah, didn't see that. That's a horse of a different colour. Yep, unfortunately I couldn't justify much more, it'd just hurt too much to see good upcoming talent walk to get their shot or linger in the lower grades, there'e too many with talent needing a spot.

Would be a first-rate Dolphins signing... flag that as an official unofficial rumour!

 

[bort]

The ball is in our court.

He showed his cards when he said his partner needs to be in Australia for another 12 months to get citizenship.

I'd prefer not to keep him at all but we've lost the plot if we keep him for anything more than 250-300k.

Almost wonder if you just tell Nikora to **** off if he wants 500k+, retain Wade on 300k for a year, start Wade left edge and Wilton right edge. After 30 bring Talakai onto left edge and Wade can maybe pop back up on either edge or in middle late in game depending on how everything plays out.

While Wade and Talakai play very different both will still either run a line if needed or otherwise would want early ball to work with.

 

[Gumby]

Go to super league, cash in for 2 years. Come back to us in an off field role.

Simple.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Go to super league, cash in for 2 years. Come back to us in an off field role.

Simple.

Go up a few posts, he has to stay in Australia next year.

 

[Sevshark]

Go to super league, cash in for 2 years. Come back to us in an off field role.

Simple.

Not when his main focus is staying in Australia for another year so his partner can become a citizen mate.

 

[Thresher]

Sign him for a year on 200k. Tell the media it was 600k. Everyone happy.

 

[CHOGM]

The ball is in our court.

He showed his cards when he said his partner needs to be in Australia for another 12 months to get citizenship.

I'd prefer not to keep him at all but we've lost the plot if we keep him for anything more than 250-300k.

Fitz will be well aware of the chooks (speculation of course, no proof) approach to this sort of thing.
Wade wants another year at $500k. Give him another year at $300k and add the $200k shortfall to his club role salary package post career.
Everrybody wins.