The Wade Graham whispers

[Guest]

Are getting louder.. Cordners best mate..

[Vasco]

They are both left edge players.

So he's taking his mate's position?

[Headless Chook]

They are both left edge players.

So he's taking his mate's position?

Boyd will play middle third.....we're still dreaming though...it won't happen

[Johnny Tobin]

A drug cheat to go with Knight and Tetevano. What a trifecta.

[Tommy Smith]

Lol turk.

Let's see if you can keep reeling them in.

[Guest]

A drug cheat to go with Knight and Tetevano. What a trifecta.

2018.. ready set go..

[Chooksforme]

I doubt we'll get Wade, we have backrowers coming thru the ranks , we really need a gun frontrower, apart from JWH, the others dont really perform at firstgrade level.

[Thirteen]

I doubt we'll get Wade, we have backrowers coming thru the ranks , we really need a gun frontrower, apart from JWH, the others dont really perform at firstgrade level.

Not true. Once every 3 years Napa plays well against Souths.

[roostersrule2]

4:18

https://youtu.be/EOZBeWM8CJI

100% without a shadow of doubt confirmed.

[One Eyed Willy]

Yeah the future captain of the Sharks is going to come play for the chooks!!

[Guest]

4:18

https://youtu.be/EOZBeWM8CJI

100% without a shadow of doubt confirmed.

That's just a small part.

[Johnny.]

He's been playing with the human shitbomb, Gallen, too long to be cleansed of that filth.

[Yak]

Not true. Once every 3 years Napa plays well against Souths.

Bit harsh. That was the best game by a front rower all season. Everyone just expected the bloke to replicate that for the rest of his career I think. He's developed hugely over the past 2 seasons without much praise in my opinion. In his first 2 seasons he would get dominated quite easily in tackles. He didn't have a pass in him to save his life. His intimidation in defence was the main selling point. If you compare that to his game now. He never get put on his back, despite his awkward and seemingly slow running style he's transferred his ability to time in defence into his attacking game which means he always win first contact. He's also now got a pass at the line in his game and he's being used more and more as a first receiver holding the middle defenders tight and distributing to Pearce which before this year was solely the job of the locks. He averaged 130m a game this year. For a 23 year old who was for the majority of the year missing his more experienced fellow bookend meaning he had to take most of the tough runs, that's bloody solid I reckon. His defence is still a feature and hasn't gone backwards at all. And finally, something to look out for next time we play. Just watch how often he is back behind the ball after a long kick where we get trapped on our line. He's usually got his hand up to take the second or third hit up. That's huge for a prop. He gets there before most backrowers would.

[Spirit of 66]

Bit harsh. That was the best game by a front rower all season. Everyone just expected the bloke to replicate that for the rest of his career I think. He's developed hugely over the past 2 seasons without much praise in my opinion. In his first 2 seasons he would get dominated quite easily in tackles. He didn't have a pass in him to save his life. His intimidation in defence was the main selling point. If you compare that to his game now. He never get put on his back, despite his awkward and seemingly slow running style he's transferred his ability to time in defence into his attacking game which means he always win first contact. He's also now got a pass at the line in his game and he's being used more and more as a first receiver holding the middle defenders tight and distributing to Pearce which before this year was solely the job of the locks. He averaged 130m a game this year. For a 23 year old who was for the majority of the year missing his more experienced fellow bookend meaning he had to take most of the tough runs, that's bloody solid I reckon. His defence is still a feature and hasn't gone backwards at all. And finally, something to look out for next time we play. Just watch how often he is back behind the ball after a long kick where we get trapped on our line. He's usually got his hand up to take the second or third hit up. That's huge for a prop. He gets there before most backrowers would.

I really appreciate your contributions to this forum, Yak. It is so refreshing to read posts from someone who clearly understands the finer points of the game. I learn things from you. Thank you.

[Thirteen]

Bit harsh. That was the best game by a front rower all season. Everyone just expected the bloke to replicate that for the rest of his career I think. He's developed hugely over the past 2 seasons without much praise in my opinion. In his first 2 seasons he would get dominated quite easily in tackles. He didn't have a pass in him to save his life. His intimidation in defence was the main selling point. If you compare that to his game now. He never get put on his back, despite his awkward and seemingly slow running style he's transferred his ability to time in defence into his attacking game which means he always win first contact. He's also now got a pass at the line in his game and he's being used more and more as a first receiver holding the middle defenders tight and distributing to Pearce which before this year was solely the job of the locks. He averaged 130m a game this year. For a 23 year old who was for the majority of the year missing his more experienced fellow bookend meaning he had to take most of the tough runs, that's bloody solid I reckon. His defence is still a feature and hasn't gone backwards at all. And finally, something to look out for next time we play. Just watch how often he is back behind the ball after a long kick where we get trapped on our line. He's usually got his hand up to take the second or third hit up. That's huge for a prop. He gets there before most backrowers would.

Fair points and a very good post.
I'm just disappointed we don't see a bit more domination from him. It's guys like him that make the game interesting when they're on.