Exclusive: Sharks captain Wade Graham ends his season but says concussion fears won’t end career

Wade Graham has declared that his season is over — but not his NRL career after three separate concussions, as a catch-up with a retired champion eased his concerns.

Sharks star Wade Graham’s season is over, but he’s aiming for a big 2022. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

A quiet beer with retired Roosters champion Boyd Cordner has given Wade Graham the confidence to avoid ending his career from repeated head knocks.
Speaking on the record for the first time since standing down after a third concussion 10-weeks ago, Graham’s season is officially over with Cronulla.
He won’t attempt to play rugby league again until March next year — a period of time that will equate to nine months from his last concussion.

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In the interim, the Sharks captain has remained in Sydney throughout his rest and return to training phase, which has included appointments and cognitive testing with leading Clinical Neuropsychologist, Zoe Panto.
Graham has also declared that his comeback mission will include learning from boxers as to how best he can strengthen his neck to better prepare his body for collision in 2022.
“Whilever I still feel like I can play, I’m not going to give it away — and that’s how I feel right now,’’ Graham said.
“I’m not looking to be a daredevil or anything, but I feel like I’m comfortable enough to still play and there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be playing.
“I’m comfortable making that decision.’’

Cronulla Sharks captain Wade Graham won’t attempt to play rugby league again until March next year. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

PRESSURE TO RETIRE
The widely-respected 30-year-old’s season has consisted of only 11-games in 2021, stunted by three separate concussions — in rounds three, five and 14.
Not only did the head knocks impact his availability to lead a Sharks side consistently down on troops in 2021, but it left his close friends and family concerned for his welfare.
On each of the three occasions, Graham says he has felt no lingering headaches, blurred vision or sleep deprivation.
However, he admits his most recent head knock while attempting a tackle against Penrith in round 14 opened his eyes to the concern from his closest family and friends — and with that, the pressure of retiring.
“The decision to not play again this season was first and foremost for my health,’’ Graham said.
“I had three concussions (over four months). The last one was pretty bad.
“I was wobbling on my feet. I knew at that stage, I couldn’t continue on the path I was.
“I decided to get away from all contact and just rest.
“I couldn’t have four concussions in a year, so by stepping away, it completely took that risk off the table.
“There was a lot of worry that came from the general public, my family and close mates and teammates.
“I felt that pressure on me.
“Mickey Ennis (Fox Sports commentator) in the commentary that I heard, he was emotional about it.
“Gal (Paul Gallen) and Lewy (Luke Lewis), two tough men I’d played with, rang to see how I was.
“It didn’t spook me into retiring — but I felt pressure.
“I deleted social media because I needed to make sure I wasn’t being influenced by anything.
“I was only listening to myself.”

Graham admits there was a lot of worry from the general public, my family and close mates with his most recent concussion. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

CAPTAIN’S CALL
The other person Graham sought counsel from was Cordner.
The two former NSW and Australian teammates are close friends off the field.
Cordner asked Graham to attend his emotional retirement press conference on June 14 — just three days after the Sharks skipper had been concussed and helped from the field against Penrith.
After Cordner revealed to the press that he was retiring due to his own struggles with concussion, Graham joined the revered Roosters forward for a quiet drink with close friends and family.
Naturally, the conversation turned to Graham‘s health.
“I went over to Boyd’s retirement press conference and we had a beer afterwards,’’ Graham said.
“I actually left that catch-up feeling pretty positive within my own circumstances because some of the stuff Boyd was explaining wasn’t the case for me.
“I wasn’t having headaches or symptoms, I was feeling pretty good.
“There weren’t days where I was really struggling. I haven’t had that at all.
“I remember leaving Boyd with a sense of optimism that with time away from the game and taking the right advice, I could push on.”

Graham back on the training track this week. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Graham has suffered three concussions this year. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

TESTS, TRAINING AND TACKLING

Graham said he hasn’t felt the need to reach out to the NRL’s lead concussion research team and expert neurologists doctors Chris Levi and Andrew Gardner.
The 259-game player said he has felt comfortable with his progression working with Panto – and crucially, he has decided to resist performing any contact drills until late-January next year.
One of the leading contributors towards Graham suffering repeated blows to the head has been his at-times fearless tackle technique.
Graham nods knowingly when admitting that correcting his brutal defensive style will be a major focus throughout his comeback bid.
“That for me is ultimately the number one priority,’’ Graham said.
“I don’t think I need to learn how to tackle again. I just need to make better decisions.
“And I’m confident I can.
“I’m looking into doing a few different things. I want to speak to boxers about the neck exercises that they do.
“Gal has always done that. If you have a strong neck, you’re going to be able to absorb a lot more.
“I’m training at the moment, running and lifting and just getting healthy and fit and strong.
“My output has been strong. I’m fit enough to play rugby league, to run, tackle – I’m as strong as I was in the pre-season.
“But it’s important to give my brain a rest.
“That’s what I’m doing, I’m giving it a rest. I’m giving it a chance to come back and continue.’’

THE FITZY ERA
Driving Graham towards starting fresh next season is the opportunity to work with incoming Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
“All Sharks fans will be able to tell you the last two years have been difficult for a number of reasons,” Graham said.
“It’s been an unsettled period, but the decisions made by management have been strategic and have brought an air of excitement, not just from the fans but the players as well.
“I feel we’re right on the brink of something special with Fitzy, coming back to Shark Park, adding Dale Finucane, Cam McInnes, Nicho Hynes and also, our young guys aren’t young anymore.
“I see this place as a really good place to be at. That’s why I’m going to get back.’’

Originally published as Exclusive: Sharks captain Wade Graham ends his season but says concussion fears won’t end career