Cronulla Sharks star Wade Graham wants to add All Stars and World Club Challenge to NRL trophy

WADE Graham says the Sharks won’t rest on their laurels after breaking their premiership drought and he’s keen to ensure they’ll enjoy long-term success.

Wade Graham wants to win everything.

YOU’D think having helped secure the club’s first premiership in 50 years, Cronulla forward Wade Graham’s life would now be complete.

“Not even close — if I had my way I want to play in the Auckland Nines, the NRL All Stars and World Club Challenge,’’ Graham said.

“People talk about how hard winning back-to-back premierships is and no doubt it is, but for me the more footy, the more chance to compete and win, the better.’’

In Auckland to promote the release of the NRL Nines draw, the backrower opened up about his mission to see the Sharks win back-to-back premierships, proving he can be a first-choice NSW Origin player, co-captaining Cronulla and signing a new contract prior to next year’s season kick-off.

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BACK-TO-BACK TITLES

At the Auckland Nines launch, he was welcomed on stage inside the auditorium of a local public school as “premiership-winner Wade Graham.’’

“That’s the first time I’ve been introduced like that,’’ he said. “It’s been the best six weeks of my life and when people say where does my motivation for 2017 come from, I can tell you the last six weeks is it.

“Once you’ve tasted what we did, the best feeling in your life, how could you not want it again.

“Everyone knows how hard it is and we know every team will be coming after us.

“We’ve always been that team who loved going after the big teams, so it’s a different challenge, but the key for us is not to change our mindset.

“We’ve still got to be motivated. And we’ve got to be hungry.’’

2017 CO-CAPTANCY

As Sharks vice-captain, he has long been regarded as the heir to Paul Gallen’s throne once the veteran lock retires at the end of 2017.

However, Graham revealed there had been no discussion of sharing the captaincy duties in 2017.

“I think where we’re at as a club, Flanno (Shane Flanagan) and the coaching staff would be assessing the strength of our leaders all the time,’’ Graham said.

“I wouldn’t even know if that’s a possibility. What I do know is the impact Gal has had on me as a leader of this club, has been enormous. He has one year remaining and I’ll be using this year to absorb as much as I can from him, as we players all should be.’’

OFF CONTRACT

Without a contract beyond 2017, Graham — having joined the Sharks from Penrith in 2011 — hopes his next deal will lead to him becoming a 10-year player at the club.

“My goal is to have something wrapped up before round one,’’ Graham said.

“And in my mind, that goal is to remain at the Sharks. You never say never in this game as things change so quickly, but the priority is to stay.

“It’s such an exciting time for our club. Off the field, the club has never been in a better position financially and there is a real sense of anticipation that we’re on the cusp of something special.

“The board and Lyall are all on the same page and Flanno has the staff to maximise our potential.

“I’ve been part of the club’s lowest ebb and I’ve experienced the club’s greatest high. I can tell you, I know which end of the scale I want this club to remain at.’’

TRUE BLUE

Having accomplished a boyhood dream to represent the Blues this year, Graham said his 2017 goal was to become a regular member of Laurie Daley’s squad.

“Tyson Frizell, Boyd Cordner and Josh Jackson, who was NSW Blues player of the year make up a damn strong backrow, so I understand how challenging it is how many quality players are in that position,’’ Graham said.

“But I want to put my hat in the ring and I’m not afraid of the challenge of playing well and trying to get a position there.

“The one thing I will take with me into 2017 is the belief that yes, Queensland boast so many quality players who I respect greatly, but with the talent the Blues have coming through, I would love to be part of the success I know NSW can have too.’’

Originally published as Cronulla Sharks star Wade Graham wants to add All Stars and World Club Challenge to NRL trophy