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Cronulla captain Wade Graham is confident drama surrounding Josh Morris and Josh Dugan will not derail the Sharks' 2020 NRL season.
His Cronulla captaincy may not have had an ideal start but Wade Graham is confident drama surrounding Josh Morris and Josh Dugan will not derail the Sharks' 2020 NRL season.
Graham's arrival in the Indigenous camp on the Gold Coast for Saturday night's NRL All Stars clash with the Maori selection appeared to be a welcome distraction for the back-rower after a tumultuous pre-season.
After succeeding the retired Paul Gallen as skipper, Graham has endured speculation swirling around Dugan's future as the former NSW star battles a knee injury.
And there have been question marks over Morris's commitment after his request to join brother Brett at the Sydney Roosters was denied by Cronulla.
But Graham has shrugged off the controversy and backed Dugan and Morris to play integral roles this year.
After battling knee issues the past two years, Graham said he felt for Dugan who reportedly had a request for a medical retirement knocked back by the Sharks in the off-season.
However, he kept his fingers crossed Dugan would return to the NRL sooner rather than later.
"I have been through enough dramas throughout my career to just get on with the job but it is not ideal what he is going through at the moment," Graham said.
"He is trying his best to work out that knee issue and get back on track so hopefully... he can get back at training hard and doing his best to be back out there playing footy."
Graham also had no problem with Morris remaining at the club.
Cronulla coach John Morris last week confirmed the Sharks had rejected the veteran's release request after revealing not only Dugan but also Matt Moylan (hamstring) and Bronson Xerri (shoulder) were under an injury cloud leading into round one.
Due to the Sharks' backline injury list Morris looks set to start the season at fullback and Graham believed it may yet be a master stroke.
"He's a weapon anywhere he plays," he said.
"(And) I feel comfortable with him (staying at Sharks).
"Hopefully we can move on now."
