Wade Graham had never met his new halves partner Todd Carney before this pre-season and the Cronulla five-eighth had every reason to feel apprehensive.
For a start, they play the same position and Carney’s reputation as one of the NRL’s most damaging players threatened Graham’s place in the team.
Then there’s Carney’s reputation for self-destruction away from the game, which is also virtually impossible for a new team-mate to ignore.
But Graham has put time and effort into his relationship with Carney both on and off the field over the summer, and any apprehension has been replaced by determination and a new friendship.
Carney is the first to admit he’s still a work in progress with his behaviour, but Graham, 21, has witnessed first-hand the 25-year-old’s latest efforts at self-control.
And more importantly to his own ambitions, Penrith-bred prodigy Graham has earned the right to shift Carney to No.7 and have first tilt at being his halves’ partner this season.
“He’s been good, he’s really settled. I didn’t know what he was going to be like when he came to the club, but he’s been sweet to me off the field,” said Graham, who will play alongside Carney for the first time on Friday night in the Sharks’ opening trial against Manly at Toyota Stadium.
“He’s a good fella and obviously being mates off the field hopefully helps with things on the field as well.”
“Getting first crack alongside him is going to be good and hopefully I can learn a bit and take my game to a new level with Toddy playing inside me.
“I thought it was a great move what the club made. Obviously the last few years have been pretty lean for us here in Cronulla so to get someone of Todd’s calibre is going to be great for the club and hopefully it’s a sign for a brighter future.”
Of course there’s plenty of variables for Graham this season, but essentially he’s in control of his own destiny.
He’ll play No.6 alongside the 2010 Dally M medallist – a tremendous chance for someone once compared to Brad Fittler to emerge into a star in his own right.
If he doesn’t nail down the opportunity, he could be shifted to lock or out of the team entirely, in favour of young halves Albert Kelly and Chad Townsend or veteran Jeff Robson.
Graham, with his imposing size and strong running game, is excited about what he can achieve for the Sharks this year with Carney to feed off.
“He’s a game breaker, we’ve seen that when he’s in his best form he can turn a game on its head in one play. He’s up there with Benji,” Graham said.
Cronulla and Manly have both named squads of 30 plus for Friday night, however the starting teams are nearly full strength.
The first half of the match will be an ideal chance for first-choice combinations to test themselves against NRL opposition.
