Cronulla Sharks playmaker Wade Graham has no problems with shot from ... - The Daily Telegraph
Cronulla Sharks playmaker Wade Graham has no problems with shot from Canterbury Bulldogs forward Frank Pritchard
Josh Massoud
The Daily Telegraph
August 17, 2011 12:00AM
LESS than a day after they spilled claret from a monstrous Frank Pritchard hit, Wade Graham's lips have gushed with pleas to spare his ex-Panthers teammate from suspension.
Despite being knocked senseless, Graham yesterday praised the very shoulder-charge that left him unable to recall most of Monday night's clash and Pritchard facing a one-game ban.
The resilient Cronulla playmaker also offered his support - either in person or in writing - when Pritchard attempts to have the grade three careless tackle charge downgraded at the judiciary tonight.
Pritchard checked-on Graham over the phone yesterday morning, and it is understood Bulldogs officials have since been in touch with the 21-year-old as they prepare Pritchard's defence.
"That stuff just happens in a game ... it was a great shot by Frank," Graham said. "With a player like Frank, you take your eye off him for a second and he'll get you. And that's what happened. He got me fair and square with a great hit.
"It was a bit unfortunate his shoulder struck me in the chin, but things like that just happen in rugby league. There was nothing bad about it.
"I would hate to see Frank get suspended over this. Obviously we know each other pretty well and I don't want to see him miss any footy.
"If there's anything I can do to help him, I will."
Graham admitted he made himself an easy target for Pritchard, who gained an insight of the former Australian Schoolboy's "show-and-go" during their three seasons together at Penrith.
"I'd be very disappointed if he got into any trouble over it or missed a single game," Graham continued. "There was nothing he could really do about it. I don't think he should get in any trouble.
"It's not like he hit me with a swinging arm or moved out of his way to get me. In a game like ours, when you get two blokes running at each other ... it's going to happen."
Sure to feature on end-of-season highlight reels, Pritchard's hit left Graham reeling for 10 minutes before Sharks medicos hauled their star off. Graham's concussion only began to lift on the long drive from Toyota Park to his Blacktown home, and he was still "pretty rattled" yesterday.
"I can't remember any of the game aside from bits and pieces of the first half," he said. "To be honest, watching the replay I though I looked pretty fresh when I got up. But then I didn't remember anything until my dad drove me home. I remember that and bits about talking to my mates afterwards.
"I watched the replay and I just thought it was a good shot. To be honest, I don't exactly know what the rule is with a shoulder making contact with the head."
Graham said he appreciated Pritchard's call. "Frank actually gave me a call this morning to check on me. I told him not to worry, that I was just spending the day at home taking it easy. Apparently he saw me after the game as well, but I can't remember."
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=...-frank-pritchard/story-e6frexnr-1226116371118
Attachment: Claret: Wade Graham gets attention after running into Frank Pritchard but he has no problems with the hit. Copyright: Getty Images
