Just a week after celebrating his 250th game for the Cronulla Sharks, Wade Graham has announced his retirement from football following the conclusion of the 2023 season.
CODE Sports writer David Riccio has told SEN 1170 that the announcement was made at a dinner to celebrate Graham’s 250 games for the Shire club.
“On a night made to celebrate 250 games for the Sharks, Wade thought it was fitting to announce to everyone in that room that this season will be his last,” Riccio told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“It was a pretty special moment, and no doubt Wade was highly emotional when he made the call.”
Across his career, Graham has played for the Penrith Panthers and the Sharks, playing an integral role in a Cronulla team which won the 2016 NRL Premiership.
The backrower currently sits on 293 total NRL games and Riccio has alluded to a possibility that would create headlines across the NRL.
“If the Sharks were to get their mojo back, his 300th game would be in a Grand Final,” he said.
“Time will tell, and the Sharks will want to get moving.
“There was a glimmer of hope last week and they have a big match against the Titans on Friday night.”
Graham will be remembered for being a highly intelligent footballer and it is this reason that Riccio believes a coaching career would not be a surprising revelation for Wade in the future.
“He hasn’t come out and said that he wants to be a coach,” he added.
“He made his debut at 17 years of age and then to go on and play in the different styles of positions that he has played… that’s a football IQ that doesn’t come around too often.
“Wade has a massive understanding of the game and is extremely intelligent.
“I think coaching would absolutely be in his future.”
Graham has been named to captain the Sharks in their game against the Titans on Friday night, in what will be an important match with the Sharks sitting just inside the top eight.
</p