During this week in 2023, Wade Graham – Shark number 460 – announced he would retire at season's end, bringing to a close an all-conquering 16-year NRL career.
Arguably one of the club's most important signings, Graham revealed his decision in front of family and friends at a function held to celebrate playing 250 games for the Sharks.
The crowd included former teammates Paul Gallen and Andrew Fifita, as well as former Shark and close mate Todd Carney and ex-Blues captain Boyd Cordner.
A Blacktown City junior, Graham debuted at 17 years of age in 2008 for the Penrith Panthers in their Round 15 match against the St George Illawarra Dragons. Interestingly, Graham partnered 2016 Clive Churchill Medal winner Luke Lewis at the scrum base.
With established halves Travis Burns and Luke Walsh coach Matthew Elliott's preferred option, Graham left the foot of the mountains for the Shire at the end of the 2010 season seeking a regular starting spot.
Initially signed as a half, the inclusion of Carney and Jeff Robson in 2012 saw Graham shift to lock forward before eventually finding a home in the second row. It was on the left edge that Graham remained, his deft left-foot kick setting him apart from other backrowers in the NRL during this period.
Graham announced himself as a future representative star in 2012, helping the Sharks to their first finals appearance since 2008. Graham was a key figure in a formidable pack that included internationals Gallen, Jeremy Smith and Anthony Tupou, and featured future representatives Andrew Fifita and Jayson Bukuya.
In the following seasons, Graham remained a constant as coach Shane Flanagan assembled a team around him capable of mixing it with the competition heavyweights. Players such as Lewis, Michael Gordon, Chris Heighington and Michael Ennis joined a side that progressed to the second week of the 2015 finals.
While the campaign came to an abrupt end in Townsville to eventual premiers the North Queensland Cowboys, the emergence of stars Valentine Holmes, Ricky Leutele and Jack Bird, saddled with the experience of Graham, Gallen, Lewis and co, suggested the following year was going to be a big one for the boys in the black, white and blue.
In 2016, Graham was enormous, playing all 26 games on the march to the title.
Remarkably, Graham was knocked out in the opening minutes of the Sharks' first finals match in Canberra when he got his head in the wrong position attempting a tackle on a rampaging Joey Leilua. Thankfully, he returned to his damaging best for the defeat of the Cowboys a fortnight later and then the big dance, the 2016 NRL grand final.
Graham was phenomenal in the decider, running for over 100 metres, including two tackle busts. Coupled with 30 tackles, he was close to the Sharks' best on ground.
In 2019, despite offers from rival clubs, Graham chose to re-sign with the Sharks through until 2022. "I've been in rugby league circles for a long time, so I had a few chats with a few different people. But my priority was always Cronulla with the stage I'm at in my career – the relationships I've built at the club, in the community and within the playing group."
In 2020, Graham assumed the captaincy with the retirement of Gallen and held the position until his final game.
Graham made his last appearance for the Sharks in their 2023 elimination final loss to the Sydney Roosters, drawing the curtain on a career that saw him finish as just the third player in club history to play over 250 games (255) behind fellow greats Gallen and Andrew Ettingshausen.
Along with his glittering club career, Graham also earned representative honours, playing six games for the New South Wales Blues while representing the Kangaroos on eight occasions.
In 2017, Graham was a member of the Australian squad for the World Cup, featuring in six games, including the memorable final which the Australians won 6-0.
FACT FILE - Wade Graham
Born: 25 October 1990 in Blacktown, NSW
Positions: Halfback, five-eighth, second row, lock
Playing height and weight: 186cm (6ft 1in), 96kg (15st 2lb)
Years at club: 2011-2023
Player number: 460
Games for club: 255
NRL debut (for Penrith): Round 15, Friday 20 June 2008 against St George Illawarra at Oki Jubilee Stadium
Sharks debut: Round 1, Sunday 13 March 2011 against Canberra at Bruce Stadium
Last game: Elimination final vs Sydney Roosters 2023
Statistics for Cronulla: 166 points in first grade.
Representative football: Eight games for Australia (2017, 2019) - 16 points; six State of Origin games for NSW (2016, 2017, 2019), two games for NSW City (2013, 2015)
Other club: Penrith (2010-11, player no. 479) – 42 games, 36 points
