Owning the ‘grit zone’: Caleb Graham raring for a huge 2025

We speak to Gold Coast Suns defender Caleb Graham about Damien Hardwick’s ‘grit zone’, roots at the Cairns Saints and North Cairns Tigers and raring to go for another breakout season.

Harry Himmelberg of the Giants and Caleb Graham of the Suns contest the ball during the round three AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Gold Coast Suns at GIANTS Stadium on April 02, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

For Gold Coast Suns key defender Caleb Graham, 2025 marks the year of opportunity, after battling to crack the Suns best 23 over the past two seasons.

Graham has recovered from a knee (PCL) injury late last season and with a healthy body and a clear focus, Graham is determined to stake his claim as a fixture in the Suns’ defensive 50.

“I’ve had a really strong pre-season. I’m in good form and I just want to play footy and contribute on the field,” Graham said.

“I’m at a level now where ‘Dimma’ (Damien Hardwick) knows what he’s going to get out of me and I want to be able to put the jersey on again because there’s no better feeling than running out onto the footy field with your mates.”

The 24-year-old is no stranger to adversity.

A Far North Queensland boy born and bred battled his way from the fierce AFL Cairns competition, to relocating with his family to the Gold Coast before having his name called at pick 71 in the 2018 AFL national draft.

Gold Coast Suns academy player Caleb Graham. Picture credit: NEAFL.

QAFL grand final between Palm Beach Currumbin and Labrador at Southport Sharks. Photo of Caleb Graham takes a mark. Photo by Richard Gosling

Upon capturing his lifelong dream, the Suns academy graduate would go on to break through for his first AFL game in Round 21 of the 2019 season – QClash against the Brisbane Lions.

Eventually playing 27 games across the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

One of the key aspects of Graham’s development has been the chance to learn from seasoned professionals.

In particular, two-time club champion Sam Collins has played an instrumental role in Graham’s development.

“Sam’s been awesome. He’s been a really good mentor for me,” said Graham.

“He had a different path to the AFL – delisted by Fremantle before reviving his career at Gold Coast – he’s come in with a nothing to lose mindset and now he’s turned into one of the better key defenders in the league.

“I’ve learnt so much and I work well with him on and off the field.”

Caleb Graham and Jed Walter compete for the ball during a Gold Coast Suns AFL training session at People First Stadium on February 03, 2025 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

However, it’s not just his fellow defenders who are pushing Graham to grow.

The sheer challenge of training against an array of dangerous key forwards over the years has skyrocketed his versatility.

Gun forwards Ben King, Mabior Chol, Jack Lukosius, Levi Casboult and Jed Walter have all been a part of the Suns forward stocks over the past few seasons.

“They’re all so unique and difficult to match up on,” he said.

“It broadens my learning experience. I’ve learned all these different traits and it has prepared me to play on tough opposition players.

“I can go into a game with a clear mindset of how I want to defend them.”

2024 AFL Football – Round 22 – Carlton Blues V Hawthorn Hawks at the MCG. Jacob Weitering of the Blues in action. Picture: Mark Stewart

Looking up to defenders like Carlton’s Jacob Weitering and Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce, who have mastered the art of one-on-one duels, Graham is determined to model his own game on their strength and anticipation.

“I like watching (Jacob) Weitering; he’s unreal one-on-one. He doesn’t lose. Pearce is really strong one-on-one and just gets the job done.”

Taylor Walker and Reilly O'Brien of the Crows fly with Caleb Graham and Zac Smith of the Suns during the 2020 Marsh Community Series match between the Adelaide Crows and the Gold Coast Suns at Flinders University Stadium on March 06, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by AFL Photos)

Damien Hardwick, Senior Coach of the Suns addresses his players during the 2024 AFL Round 19 match between the GWS GIANTS and the Gold Coast Suns at ENGIE Stadium on July 20, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Graham said he has enjoyed further developing his game under the watchful eye of three-time premiership coach Hardwick.

Known for his tenacious, no-nonsense defensive system.

Graham is looking to crack into Hardwick’s defensive 50 set-up, known as the ‘grit zone’, alongside current key defenders Collins, Charlie Ballard and Mac Andrew.

“(Hardwick) knows what he wants because he’s done it in the past at the Tigers,” he said.

“We’ve got a framework as a team that we play inside, but if we play our role, it allows us to play with that (unique) flair that we have. He reminds us no one is on this journey at the Suns by himself. It takes (the entire playing list) to get to where we want to go which is premierships in September footy.”

Graham also highlights the influence of Rhyce Shaw, the former Suns’ VFL backline coach, whose direct and honest feedback helped hone his game.

Caleb Graham of the Suns during a Gold Coast Suns AFL media opportunity at Austworld Centre Oval on May 23, 2023 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images via AFL Photos)

With the Suns opening round match against Essendon less than a month away, the lessons from his early days in the Far North continue to shape his approach to the game.

Whether it was the thrill of running out onto the field for the Cairns Saints and North Cairns Tigers in AFL Cairns or the excitement of playing alongside his mates, Graham’s connection to the joy of footy has never wavered.

“Finding the joy and fun in it all has always stuck with me from a young age,” he said.

“I was so excited every Sunday afternoon (playing local footy) and I still have that same feeling (at AFL level) of running out regardless of what team I’m in, who’s beside me. It’ll stick with me for the rest of my career.”

Originally published as Owning the ‘grit zone’: Caleb Graham raring for a huge 2025