Cronulla Sharks veteran Wade Graham has announced he will retire at the end of the 2023 NRL season.
Graham revealed his decision in front of former and current teammates, family and friends at a function held to celebrate playing 250 games for the Sharks.
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Figures in attendance at the event included the likes of Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, Andrew Fifita, Todd Carney, Boyd Corner as well as Shane Flanagan.
Graham made his NRL debut with the Penrith Panthers in 2008 before he made the switch to Cronulla for the 2011 season.
The 32-year-old never looked back once he arrived in the Shire, amassing 250 games for the club and also won a premiership in 2016.
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Graham is just the third player in Sharks history to reach the figure, with only Gallen and Andrew Ettinghausen the other two.
He also took over the captaincy from Gallen in 2020 and has continued to lead the side since alongside the likes of Dale Finucane and Nicho Hynes among others.
Along with his glittering club career, Graham has also earned representative honours.
He made six State of Origin appearances for the New South Wales Blues while representing the Kangaroos on eight occasions.
Graham will captain the Sharks for the club’s clash against the Gold Coast Titans on Friday night as they look to wrap up a top eight finish with the end of the regular season looming.
