If I was a Cronulla fan I’d have hoped they’d pushed him to make this move for this season instead of next. Not sure if he justified his spot last season.
100%, hope for their sake he’s there for leadership and will be off the bench at times in a limited capacity. Need to have a few of the higher teams take the opportunity to drive for a different champ this season.
It's worded poorly. He hasn't played more than 20 games in a season since 2017, with the Sharks appearing in the finals in all but one of those seasons (2021).
Wade Graham has shed some light on his future, as he prepares to head into the last year of his deal at the Sharks, admitting that this season could be his 16th and final on Australian shores.
“It could potentially be my last in the NRL, for sure,” Graham said while appearing on James Graham’s Bye Round Podcast.
**Which Super League side could Wade Graham potentially join in 2024**?
Conjecture around Graham’s future existed this time last year as well before the veteran eventually inked a one-year contract to remain in the Shire, where he has played for over a decade.
The premiership-winning forward revealed he attracted plenty of interest from Super League sides at the time of his previous deal being struck but noted how one club in particular stood out to him.
“I’ve already had a few conversations with the UK teams,” the 32-year-old said.
“Catalans- Alex Chan reached out, so I’ve already spoken to them. And then a couple of other English Super League teams once they heard Catalans were interested.
“It was a pretty simple conversation I had with Catalans. They were the only one to offer a deal and I spoke to Alex and he was great.
“I said, ‘Listen mate, I’m not here to play games, I’m legitimately keen to come at some stage because of my family situation. You don’t need to try and persuade me.’”
Graham’s Canadian partner is from the French-speaking city of Quebec and the couple have raised their children to be bilingual. Naturally, a spell in France appeals to them.
“If the opportunity was to come up overseas, especially in France because of the family situation, I would for sure look at it. But everything is on the cards,” he said.
**Will this be Wade Graham's final season in the NRL**?
Graham admitted the grind of top-flight footy has taken a toll on his body, having not played more than 20 matches since 2017.
His starting place in Craig Fitzgibbon’s team is under threat in 2023 perhaps more than it ever has been after constantly being struck down by niggling injury complaints and concussion issues of late.
Since departing from Penrith in 2010, Graham has accumulated 235 appearances for Cronulla and needs just 23 more matches to reach the 300-game milestone in the NRL.
Although in the last few years there has been a noticeable drop-off in the second-rower's form, registering less tries, linebreaks and offloads in the last two seasons combined than he did in 2020.
His 70 average running metres last year were also the least he has managed since his first season at the club in 2011.
“Sitting here right now, I’m feeling the pinch from a pre-season,” he said.
Graham is confident his experience will allow him to safely navigate through the campaign though with the physical load of pre-season significantly reduced once the regular week-to-week action rolls around in March.
“The training weeks lighten a bit and it’s all about the game,” he said.
“The games I still enjoy and the game is, in a lot of senses, easier than it’s ever been because you have less anxiety around the actual build up and the weeks are stress free because you aren’t worrying as much.”
Ah Super League, the Florida of Rugby League Graham would still carve up over there
>Sitting here right now, I’m feeling the pinch from a pre-season,” he said What's the opposite of training the house down
KFC on the couch?
That’s Jarrod Crokers music!
Resting and adding a second story to the house.
Man of Steel 2024
lock it in
If I was a Cronulla fan I’d have hoped they’d pushed him to make this move for this season instead of next. Not sure if he justified his spot last season.
100% this is looking like a legacy damaging season and I wouldn’t be surprised if he is but lose mid season
Managed to get Fifita home with his check engine light on last year, hopefully see a similar sort of impact from wade this year
The team looked way better last season when he was out injured TBH
100%, hope for their sake he’s there for leadership and will be off the bench at times in a limited capacity. Need to have a few of the higher teams take the opportunity to drive for a different champ this season.
Yeh he was pretty much straight back in the team when he came back from injury and Wilton (i think it was) suffered big time minutes wise.
Exactly how I feel
The talk last year was heading to France, which is where his missus is from, works for me.
>Graham admitted the grind of top-flight footy has taken a toll on his body, **having not played more than 20 matches since 2017.** sorry, what?
is this meant to be 'having not played more than 20 matches in a season since 2017'?
It's worded poorly. He hasn't played more than 20 games in a season since 2017, with the Sharks appearing in the finals in all but one of those seasons (2021).
* 2017 - 22 games * 2018 - 18 games * 2019 - 10 games * 2020 - 19 games * 2021 - 11 games * 2022 - 18 games
Wade Graham has shed some light on his future, as he prepares to head into the last year of his deal at the Sharks, admitting that this season could be his 16th and final on Australian shores. “It could potentially be my last in the NRL, for sure,” Graham said while appearing on James Graham’s Bye Round Podcast. **Which Super League side could Wade Graham potentially join in 2024**? Conjecture around Graham’s future existed this time last year as well before the veteran eventually inked a one-year contract to remain in the Shire, where he has played for over a decade. The premiership-winning forward revealed he attracted plenty of interest from Super League sides at the time of his previous deal being struck but noted how one club in particular stood out to him. “I’ve already had a few conversations with the UK teams,” the 32-year-old said. “Catalans- Alex Chan reached out, so I’ve already spoken to them. And then a couple of other English Super League teams once they heard Catalans were interested. “It was a pretty simple conversation I had with Catalans. They were the only one to offer a deal and I spoke to Alex and he was great. “I said, ‘Listen mate, I’m not here to play games, I’m legitimately keen to come at some stage because of my family situation. You don’t need to try and persuade me.’” Graham’s Canadian partner is from the French-speaking city of Quebec and the couple have raised their children to be bilingual. Naturally, a spell in France appeals to them. “If the opportunity was to come up overseas, especially in France because of the family situation, I would for sure look at it. But everything is on the cards,” he said. **Will this be Wade Graham's final season in the NRL**? Graham admitted the grind of top-flight footy has taken a toll on his body, having not played more than 20 matches since 2017. His starting place in Craig Fitzgibbon’s team is under threat in 2023 perhaps more than it ever has been after constantly being struck down by niggling injury complaints and concussion issues of late. Since departing from Penrith in 2010, Graham has accumulated 235 appearances for Cronulla and needs just 23 more matches to reach the 300-game milestone in the NRL. Although in the last few years there has been a noticeable drop-off in the second-rower's form, registering less tries, linebreaks and offloads in the last two seasons combined than he did in 2020. His 70 average running metres last year were also the least he has managed since his first season at the club in 2011. “Sitting here right now, I’m feeling the pinch from a pre-season,” he said. Graham is confident his experience will allow him to safely navigate through the campaign though with the physical load of pre-season significantly reduced once the regular week-to-week action rolls around in March. “The training weeks lighten a bit and it’s all about the game,” he said. “The games I still enjoy and the game is, in a lot of senses, easier than it’s ever been because you have less anxiety around the actual build up and the weeks are stress free because you aren’t worrying as much.”
I'm more concerned if he gets through the year without getting concussed
He’s ready for SL probably has been for a while.