Nines experience priceless for Cronulla

Cronulla are yet to split their Auckland Nines earnings but stand-in skipper Wade Graham reckons their runners-up finish has been priceless for the NRL club.

The split of a suddenly cashed-up Cronulla's Auckland Nines runners-up cheque is yet to be decided.

But stand-in skipper Wade Graham reckons their no-name squad's surprise Nines charge has been a priceless experience for an NRL club beginning life after the supplements saga.

Especially for late withdrawal Luke Lewis.

As in, the Test utility won't see a cent of their $240,000 Auckland earnings.

Graham couldn't resist having a good-natured crack at Lewis (knee) who pulled out ahead of the Nines, further depleting a Sharks squad already without captain Paul Gallen, Mick Ennis, Ben Barba and Andrew Fifita.

"I know Lewis will be filthy he didn't come over - he loves cash," smiled Graham who was a last-minute replacement for stand-in skipper Lewis.

"And I had my weekend planned. I wasn't going to come over.

"But on Wednesday he (Lewis) tried to run and said 'it's not good' - (so) here I am.

"And Lewie won't be getting a cent of my stuff."

But the Sharks could not put a price on what their shock Nines surge meant to their 2015 season.

Last year's wooden spooners knocked out hot favourites New Zealand Warriors and a star-studded Sydney Roosters before keeping NRL premiers the Rabbitohs honest in a gripping final.

Valentine Holmes converted fellow Sharks young gun Jack Bird's last gasp try with a drop goal from the sidelines to force golden try extra-time in the decider.

At one stage Cronulla held out five consecutive sets before South Sydney's comeback "kid" Matt King crashed over to seal an 18-14 victory at Eden Park.

It denied the Sharks a welcome addition to a trophy cabinet that only boasts the 1979 mid-week AMCO Cup.

However, Graham said it was just what the club needed as they began a fresh new chapter in the wake of the anti-doping investigation.

Graham is one of 10 current and past Sharks players - including skipper Gallen - who returned from a backdated suspension in November.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan also came back from a one year ban just three months ago.

The Sharks went from 2013 finals threats to 2014 wooden spooners during the controversy.

But the most damage was sustained off the field to the Sharks image.

However, Graham saw their Nines run as a positive step forward.

"Success is always good, we have got off to a good start," he said.

"Our young guys can only get confidence from this.

"They kept showing up. I am very proud of them."

Flanagan added: "I thought we showed character all day.

"The way we scrambled and never gave in - there was some real resolve and attitude in that group."

Flanagan's only complaint was youngster Fa'amanu Brown requiring a knee reconstruction after breaking down in the finals.


Share

3 min read

Published

Updated


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world