NRL Market Watch: Wade Graham’s selfless offer to Cronulla Sharks

Wade Graham has negotiated a contract extension with the Cronulla Sharks, but the veteran’s deal comes with some big concessions.

Wade Graham has anointed Dally M winner Nicho Hynes as his future successor as the Cronulla captain prepares for his 16th and final season in the NRL.

In an exclusive interview with News Corp to discuss a freshly-inked one-year deal with the Sharks for the 2023 season, the champion forward has also confirmed he’s prepared to pass on the baton to his younger teammates and play any position “that is best for the team”.

Graham, 32, who negotiated his own contract with the Sharks, added that his ambition to re-sign with the club was driven by a belief that Cronulla can rebound from their backdoor exit of last season’s finals and win the title in 2023.

(L-R) Cronulla players Ronaldo Mulitalo, Siosifa Talakai and Nicho Hynes are not the future – they’re right now. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“You look at our team with the likes of Toby Rudolf, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Teig Wilton, Cam McInnes, Briton Nikora, Royce Hunt, they’re not the future – they’re right now,’’ Graham said.

“So it’s going to be a little bit different for me next season.

“It might be about shifting from the back row to playing in the middle of the field, it might be playing off the bench, it might be missing a game.

“I’ve had discussions with Fitzy (Craig Fitzgibbon) and I’m okay with that.

“Our club is in a wonderful position, both on and off the field from the football department to our CEO and board, and my value will be to go in every day and help with experience at training and helping improve our team.

“I’ll do whatever is best for the team. I do care to play each week, but for me, I care more about how we go as a team, our performances, our results.

“That’s how I’ve always attacked my footy. It’s always been about us, as a team, going well on the weekend for me.

Wade Graham will play whatever role the Sharks need of him in 2023. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“I want to help drive us to the next level. It’s not a hard pill to swallow, I’ll still train hard and compete hard and desperately want to play, but if I’m not in the best 17, that’s what it will be.

“I know I can add value. It’s funny, now that (Andrew) Fifita has left, all my team from 2016 (premiership) are gone. I’m the last one.

“I’ll have one more year and it will be time to transition out.’’

Graham (234), the third most-capped Sharks player in history behind Paul Gallen (349) and Andrew Ettingshausen (337), said Fitzgibbon would have no shortage of captaincy options, should he miss matches in 2023.

However, Graham singled out Hynes as a player who had all the makings as a long-term leader of the club.

Cronulla’s likely leaders Nicho Hynes and Dale Finucane. Picture: NRL Imagery

“Dale captained when I missed a game last season and then the next man up in that space has also been Nicho,’’ Graham said.

“He showed this year the type of character he is and the mentality he has.

“He wants to be the leader, he wants to be the dominant voice and I feel that’s what you need.

“He talks a lot at training, he’s very level-headed and mature off the field.

“It‘s ultimately going to be Fitzy’s call, but he’s not short of very good options.’’

Graham, who will return to pre-season training in three weeks, said he held no apprehension over the attitude of the playing group following the club’s swift exit from the finals – with losses to the Cowboys and Rabbitohs – after finishing second at the end of the regular season.

“Honestly, it will make us even hungrier,’’ Graham said.

“Our exit in 2015 was brutal, we lost by 40 against the Cowboys in the finals and that pain drove us into 2016 and we all know what happened after that.

“The lesson this group has learned from last season will be invaluable. It’s tough, but what we tossed up in the finals wasn’t good enough.

“We’re not going to shy away from not being good enough. We’re going to get better from it.’’

With an eye on moving into coaching once he retires, the former Test, NSW State of Origin and premiership-winning backrower will commence working with the club’s elite pathways players on his days off next season.

TIGERS’ $250K PLAY SECURES BATEMAN

The Wests Tigers are in the final stages of signing-off on a deal to bring English International John Bateman back to the NRL.

In a move that could finally drag the Wests Tigers out of the competition cellar, the 29-year-old is eyeing a three-year deal to join a new-look Tigers pack that will include premiership-winning hooker Api Koroisau and Kiwi international Isaiah Papali'I.

On top of the recruitment of Koroisau, Papalii and almost certainly Bateman, the Tigers are also aiming to add either David Klemmer or Tyson Frizell from Newcastle to their pack for 2023.

Klemmer is the frontrunner to link with the Tigers – and his acquisition doesn’t require losing halfback Luke Brooks.

The forward pack overhaul could prove defining for the Wests Tigers, who already boast key forwards Stefano Utoikamano, Joe Ofehengaue, Alex Twal and promising prop Fonua Pole.

John Bateman is set to join Wests Tigers next in 2023.

In order to sign Bateman, Wests Tigers senior management are comfortable with paying the key forward’s English club, Wigan, a transfer fee, as he still has two years remaining on his Super League contract.

The figure believed to be around $250,000 AUD is paid directly from club to club and would sit outside the Tigers salary cap.

The 29-year-old would return to the NRL with a glowing reputation in the eyes of fans after two quality seasons in the NRL (2019-2020) with Canberra.

Bateman helped transform the Raiders in 2019 with his powerful running game and defensive nous earning him the 2019 Dally M second-rower of the year award.

The recruitment of Bateman has been led by head coach Tim Sheens, who believes the no-nonsense forward will instil genuine steel and leadership to the Tigers.

The Tigers are hoping to sign-off on the deal in the coming days.

MANSOUR COZYING UP TO ROOSTERS’ KING

– Brent Read

Lebanon winger Josh Mansour has batted his eyelids at the Sydney Roosters after admitting he was shocked and disappointed at how his year played out at their bitter rivals, South Sydney.

Mansour officially became a free agent on November 1, meaning he is without a deal for the first time in more than a decade as he prepares to take on the Kangaroos and former teammate Latrell Mitchell in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

The 32-year-old Mansour put his future on the backburner to concentrate on the Cedars’ campaign, which will reach a crescendo In Leeds on Saturday morning (AEDT) against the defending champions.

Josh Mansour is showing his wares playing for Lebanon at the World Cup. Picture: Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images for RLWC

Lebanon coach Michael Cheika’s assistants at the World Cup include Roosters assistant Matt King and Mansour admits he would find it hard to say no if they came knocking.

“I have already chirped into his (King’s) ear,” Mansour said.

“The Sydney Roosters are a great club. If an opportunity arose, I would definitely explore it.”

He has been a pivotal figure in their World Cup thus far, giving his hopes of securing a new contract a boost by starring on the wing for the rugby league minnows.

“At the beginning of the year I didn’t have that plan – I didn’t see it coming,” Mansour said of his season – he only played five games in first grade this season.

“It really shocked me the way the year went but I just had to swallow my pride and ride out the year. I just tried to be as professional as I could and come with a good attitude to training every time.

Josh Mansour struggled to crack into the South Sydney first grade squad.

“I am extremely determined. I always wanted to come here first – main focus – and after that see what happens. It is a bit of a weird situation to be in, a bit stressful,

“I am not going to lie. My wife is hitting me up asking what am I going to do, I am telling her to be patient. Whatever happens, happens.”

Mansour could scarcely have done much more as part of a Lebanon team that has flourished under the coaching of Cheika.

The Lebanon mentor will spend the week juggling his role with the Cedars with his job as coach of the Argentinian rugby union team, although he insists his priority will be plotting an upset win over the Kangaroos.

If that is to happen, Mansour’s experience and leadership will be vital in a Lebanese side that has sprinkles of class. They will be massive underdogs but Mansour refuses to give up hope. He has taken the same stance with his NRL career.

Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Wade Graham’s selfless offer to Cronulla Sharks