Veteran Shark could join exclusive club after signing contract extension

Wade Graham could join rugby league’s toughest club next season after he signed on for more year in the Shire.

Wade Graham could bring up 300 NRL games next season. Picture; Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Sharks skipper Wade Graham has brushed aside retirement talks to sign a one-year extension for the 2023 NRL season.

The 31-year-old is preparing for his 13th season in the Shire after playing the first three years of his career in Penrith.

Graham’s decision to stay on is a huge boost for the Sharks who have lost a truckload of experience with veteran props Andrew Fifita and Aiden Tolman recently retiring.

Cronulla’s captain is staying put. Picture; Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Graham has played 277 NRL matches and could join the exclusive 300 club if he can stay injury free next year.

That has been an issue for the former representative back-rower who missed much of the 2019 campaign as he recovered from an ACL injury, while a spate of concussions have plagued his career recently.

Having Graham for another 12 months is exactly what coach Craig Fitzgibbon wants after he guided the team to the top two in his first season in charge before the Sharks were bundled out of the finals in straight sets.

Wade Graham helped the Sharks win the club’s first premiership. Picture; Brett Costello

“I‘m really proud and grateful to have the opportunity to play on for another year here at the Sharks,” said Graham, who was an integral part of the Cronulla side that won the 2016 premiership.

“I‘m looking forward to getting back, ripping in to another pre-season and helping the squad to improve on the progress we’ve made as a club last year.”