Cronulla Sharks Wade Graham finally calls the Shire home

SOME two years after joining the Sharks, Wade Graham has finally joined Cronulla.

Graham

SOME two years after joining the Sharks, Wade Graham has finally joined Cronulla.

Having commuted to the Shire since his switch from Penrith in 2010, the talented back rower last week moved into his first house at Lilly Pilly.

Graham agreed that the property purchase was a major step toward his long-term stint at Cronulla, where he's just started a new two-year contract extension.

The 22-year-old also captained the Sharks on three occasions last season, nominating him as a prime candidate to succeed current skipper Paul Gallen in coming years. He took six months looking for a suitable house and even sacrificed a post-season holiday to prepare for the move.

"Buying a property is a big decision - it's a long-term thing," Graham said. "I've got no plans on going anywhere else.

"I feel very settled at the moment, on and off the field.

"I know my role in the club, so all that was left was to come and live in the area with most of the other boys."

Graham's final stop before parking under his own roof was at the new home of fellow ex-Panther Luke Lewis, who now lives next door to freshly retired Ricky Ponting.

Lewis is one of a host of representative back-rowers who will be competing with Graham for one of three spots in Cronulla's starting pack.

"I played on the left edge last year and hopefully that won't change too much," Graham said.

"But in saying that I wouldn't give a shit if (coach) Shane Flanagan asked me to play on the wing."