Wade Graham is set to retire at the end of the season after 16 years in the NRL. The 2016 Premiership winner was honoured at a private event this week to celebrated passing 250 games in for the Sharks, and used it to inform his family, friends and teammates that 2023 would be his last season.
He debuted in 2008 at just 17 years of age with Penrith and has been at Cronulla since 2011, eventually graduating to the Origin arena and making key contributions as the Blues won the shield in 2019 as a stand-in halfback following an injury to Nathan Cleary.
The versatile backrower will get a fairytale send-off in the last round of the regular season with the Sharks set to face the Raiders in the Shire.
SBW in Haas’ ear as he considers future
Few men will understand the situation that Payne Haas finds himself in with his contract, but one of them might well be Sonny Bill WIlliams.
The Kiwi legend knows a thing or two about being the world’s most in-demand forward – and about fielding offers from multiple clubs and rugby union – and has been offering advice to the Broncos prop as he prepares to enter the open market on November 1.
“Sonny is real good,” Haas told AAP. “He always reaches out to me. Obviously I’m going through some stuff and he has always made sure I am all good and give me some advice.
“He is pretty special to me Sonny. We are pretty close. He is good to have around me.”
The Broncos are likely to make an offer of over $1m a year to Haas, but the player may wait until the market opens to see what else is on the table, with the Bulldogs thought to be willing to go big on the NSW star, as are the Melbourne Storm.
Payne Haas. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“I don’t want to create controversy at this time of year,” said his manager Ahmad Merhi in a statement.
“We’ve never closed the door on Brisbane, we’re in dialogue with them and anything is possible. We’ve always been hopeful of a good outcome with the Broncos.
“In relation to November 1 and if we’ll go on November 1, if things don’t work out with Brisbane that’s when we’ll go. But the only team we’re able to negotiate with right now is Brisbane, so they’re in the box seat.
“It’s pretty simple, if they come up with the right deal for Payne, we’ll have the deal done before November 1.
“I can tell you right now there’s no contract put on the table yet and dialogue means we’re still negotiating. That door is still very much open and they’re the only club we can negotiate with at the moment.”
NRL & RLPA to resume talks
Talks on the NRL’s CBA may be about to resume with the two parties set to meet this Wednesday in an attempt to reach a deal.
Peter V’landys is set to take a hands-on role from the NRL’s side in an attempt to stave off further industrial action, notably any boycott of the Dally M Awards.
Speaking to 100% Footy on Monday night, the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) Chairman said that he didn’t think it would be too complicated to sort things out.
“If we couldn’t do it in a day I’d give it away because they’re not big issues,” he said.
“If both parties came here in good faith you could settle those issues pretty quickly, probably a couple of hours, to be quite frank with you. They’re not massive.
“The big issues have been settled: the funds, the management of the funds, the total money to the players, the salary cap, the minimum payment, the holidays. All settled. These are minor issues.”
His counterpart, Rugby League Players’ Association chair Clint Newton, was happy to be returning to talks but insisted that an independent mediator was still required.
“We just want to get back to the table with Peter with a mediator and get on with it and I think that can solve the problem,” he told Channel 9.
“What the NRL have developed is a bad habit of creating and sometimes making up problems to steal attention away from the truth and the reality is our claims haven’t changed. They still remain, we just want to get back to the table with an industrial reaction mediator and get on with it.
“Peter was the one that walked away from negotiations three weeks ago. It’s great that he has stepped back to the table, that’s fantastic, but you can’t dictate terms to our members.
“Ultimately, they are going to decide who represents them, and ultimately, we do want an industrial relations mediator at the table to resolve it. I don’t see what’s so outrageous about that.”
Nat
Roar Guru
I think it about $20k for a box but they take 20 people. I’m sure we could rustle up a few more punters to split the cost. Maybe a Roar sponsorship and we can talk to Mike about these power rankings. :laughing:
Rellum
Roar Guru
The whole Broncs Roar crowd should get a corporate box, we drum up enough talk for them :stoked:
Nat
Roar Guru
I suspected you might be going to a few games this season, the boys are going well. If that gf happens I’m going to Sydney for sure.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Mozer is still getting split minutes. Paix is now back as the first choice guy which I am not a fan of. Souths actually have a chance to win the whole thing and be on GF day with the Broncs so I want the best team out there and to me that is with Mozer getting 55-60 mins at least
Nat
Roar Guru
Yeah good, controlling the ruck from dummy, very Smith like. I noticed Hunt was splitting his minutes earlier on as well. You can’t complain about 6 tries and 9 TA from dummy as a kid.
Rellum
Roar Guru
He needs to work on his involvement a little but when he is on Te Kura looks like the next Hass, big, strong and powerful, dragging defenders for fun at times. Mozer looks the real deal. He looks like a Cam Smith clone the way he plays. The real indicator is when he is on Souths basically dominate, when he is off we come back to the pack. He took a little while to settle into Q Cup, as you say understandable for a 18 year old hooker who had never really played against men before, but he now looks at ease and dominates the game, controls the team. The fun thing this year is to see how many teams fall for the inside ball by Mozer off a dummy half run near the line to Te Kura. Many a try has been scored.
Nat
Roar Guru
Williston’s stats for his short stints have been equal to Haas although Haas has longer minutes. Do they need a 7min prop or $500k for a 55min with the same metres? I’ve been looking at TeKura’s stats as well (along with Mozer). Hard to put in context without seeing the game but for an 18yo they are pretty good.
andrew
Roar Rookie
The money the Broncos are offering is what Haas is worth imo , a million a year at most. How much more does he want. Geez Payne’s got more chance of winning a premiership with the Broncos than he’d have with the Roosters or Canterbury.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Haas would be mad moving to the Bulldogs when the Broncos are offering him $1 mill plus a year and the Broncos premiership window is open.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
It didn’t work long term for the Cowboys, with Taumalolo . Comfortable with their $1 million per year? Don’t agree that he’s not the best prop there . Based on what he’s capable of , he’s the best. Broncos will need to keep a motza for a new halfback, if a good one becomes available?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Whoa - sobering comment
mushi
Roar Guru
He's also had concussion issues. Maybe remembering your 299th game is better than having your kids have to replay your 300th for you
mushi
Roar Guru
Also "These are minor issues." After refusing to have a moderator because it would be too difficult to get them up to speed.
Rellum
Roar Guru
We cannot spend anymore on that for Haas, it might be too much, we have to upgrade Ezra and Walsh as well as maybe Mozer in a year or two, keep Patty(who is more important than Haas and a better front rower). Hopefully keep Cobbo and most of the other young guys coming through. In addition to that we have to find or sign a 7 to replace Rynolds. Te Kura looks like a monster as well. Te Kura and Willison are easy to identify Haas replacements already in or close to first grade. We have all the bargaining power we need. We have given Haas a great offer. If he doesn't take it, we need to move on.
Nat
Roar Guru
With the increased cap $1.1m for Haas doesn’t shake up the cap like it used too. As good as he is, he is a replaceable prop. Wait until Willison puts on another 7kg - 8kg. Besides Capt Pat would be worth more and you cannot have 2 props sucking up a disproportionate amount of cap. I would sooner be saving money for Reyno 2.0.
Nat
Roar Guru
300 club is great recognition but would have to be a drive to know you can and want to play another full season. Another preseason and all the work just for the number (admittedly another good pay packet as well) would be very draining.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
Left one thing out - Wado was a fantastic ball player. Legend.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Who knows? Played for the Raiders juniors before shifting to the Roosters at a very young age. Wouldn't have thought the Raiders supporters gave two hoots about him. Might be the fact that he stayed down for penalties etc. Plus we had a pretty good rivalry with the Dragons.
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
Graham is one of the greatest Sharks and I dearly hope he goes out on a high note. At his peak he was unlike any back rower I've seen. He could hit with the power of a prop and run superb lines but it was his kicking game that really set him apart - his left foot kick was lethal to an onrushing defence. He was a 5/8 in a back rower's body. On top of that he was incredibly loyal to the club and selfless and above all a damned good bloke. He's doing work in the media - hope there is more of it - he's better than many of the former players who work in it. And of course I hope he stays with the club and works with current players. That 2016 pack was quite a unit: Graham, Lewis, Gallen, Fifita, Ennis, Prior, Bukuya. Tough with a capital T.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Maybe it was the Raiders junior part , that made them hate him? He played on the boo’s?