Sharks now in the NRL elite, says Graham

Wade Graham says success for Cronulla in the World Club Challenge should see the Sharks regarded as one of the elite teams in NRL.

Wade Graham of the Sharks

Wade Graham believes Cronulla's NRL premiership success has elevated the club to a new level. (AAP)

Wade Graham believes Cronulla's NRL premiership success has elevated the club to a new level.

Victory on Sunday (Monday 0200 AEDT) over Wigan in the World Club Challenge would see the Sharks crowned as the No.1 club team in the world.

It was a prospect that seemed unthinkable just two years ago when the team claimed the wooden spoon following a hellish 12 months where the club was torn apart by the ASADA investigation.

Graham, who was one of six players banned for three months following an 18-month investigation, was one of the stars of the Sharks breathtaking 2016 campaign where they reeled of 15 straight victories on their way to beating Melbourne in the decider

The investigation is now a taboo subject among the Sharks players and staff but Graham said the character shown by the squad to go from last to first is a sign of the unity at the club.

"We've been through a lot together and come out of the other side," Graham told AAP.

"I don't think we get enough credit for what we achieved. To go from wooden spooners to premiers is something we are hugely proud of.

"We're not looking for plaudits or people to slap us on the back, we know what we achieved was special and to win the World Club Challenge would be a huge achievement for this club."


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


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