‘Massive relief’: Wade Graham returns to NRL after 321-day exile

It took 321 days but Cronulla Sharks premiership player Wade Graham made his return to the field on Thursday night.

Wade Graham has struggled with injuries in recent seasons. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Cronulla skipper Wade Graham has spoken of his “massive relief” at ending a 321-day exile from the NRL and outlined why he believes he can return to his best football.

The 31-year-old back-rower came off the bench in the 16-7 loss to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium to play his first premiership game since round 14 last year.

Concussion and a syndesmosis injury suffered in Cronulla’s pre-season trial against the Bulldogs conspired to keep him on the sidelines for an extended period, but after playing 23 minutes against Brisbane he declared he was ready for more hard work ahead.

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“The overwhelming feeling for me right now is massive relief to be honest, on an individual and personal level now that I’ve got that first one out of the way,” Graham said.

“It wasn’t the result we wanted, but for me it was just good to finally play a game and get back on the field.

“I felt good in the contact – making tackles and taking a hit – in what was a chaotic game that tested my match fitness. It is a start and the good thing for me is that I will look at the film and restart that whole process of building some minutes and getting back to the player I know I can be.”

Wade Graham made his long-awaited return to the NRL on Thursday night. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Graham is hungry to be part of something special again at Cronulla after tasting premiership success in 2016. He played six Origin games for NSW and eight Tests for the Kangaroos, with whom he won the Rugby League World Cup in 2017. He dares to dream that his best footy is still ahead of him.

“That’s because I believe in myself. I believe in this team and the staff around me and I am still willing to work hard,” he said.

“This is a great starting point for me. The film doesn’t lie. I will look at the areas I need to improve and chip away at it.

“There is still a long way for us to go at the Sharks and I feel as though we are still learning about the team we are going to be.

“We have had to deal with a number of injuries at the start of the year and that has meant some chopping and changing. We have had some good results and there are a couple of lessons for us to learn. We went down to Melbourne and got a lesson and another one here against the Broncos.

“The opening two months of the season have been enjoyable and I think everyone recognises the boys have been playing a good brand of footy and are fun to watch with the way they go about their game.”

The Broncos held the Sharks scoreless in the second half. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Graham has travelled the long, winding road to recovery with a positive mindset and is just glad it’s over.

“There were not dark days so much, but there were some long days,” he said.

“It is always a process when you train so much. I got over the first hurdle and I knew I was ready to go after a good pre-season. Then in the trial match I obviously pick up the ankle injury that needed surgery. It was another hurdle for me to overcome, but that is the life we lead as professional athletes at times.”