CRONULLA Sharks had to pay up big to keep their promising backrow forward Wade Graham on their books.
Not yet a representative player, Graham might not have received what his management were originally asking clubs — a whopping $500,000 a season — but it was substantially more than what he was paid after joining from Penrith three years ago.
The skilful backrower has been carrying a heavy load while skippering the side in the absence of long-term injured team-mates including Origin captain Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis and Anthony Tupou — all representative backrowers. Graham just has to refine his temperament under fire to take that next big step: Origin.
Syndrome hits "Scotty"
THE second year syndrome — or curse of the US Masters winner — bit our own Adam Scott at the Augusta National.
"Scotty" was looking the goods after the first round, just behind fellow Aussie John Senden, and even had a chance after a par 72 second round.
But like so many winners before him, he found backing up the next year too heavy a load, with a third round four over 76 on the weekend moving him the wrong way on the players board.
Was a shame to see the shire's own Matt Jones fail to make the cut after a poor second round. Still, he will be better for the experience of playing Augusta for the very first time in his eight years on the US Pro circuit, after being the very last entrant — his reward for winning the Houston Open just four days earlier. Can only imagine he was as nervous as hell.
Cummin to get you
SHAME he's not playing for his old club Southern Districts. Or the Waratahs in the Super 15.
Because Wallaby winger Nic Cummins is about the most enigmatic player going around, with hair flying and feet flaying as he scampers here and there. Mostly, towards the tryline. And so it was again on Saturday inside Perth's NIB Stadium where the Western Force, courtesy of that man Cummins, took on the Waratahs minus Israel Folau, and won. While the Tahs frittered away opportunities, not so Cummins. He grabbed each and every one of them, and scored all his team's three tries in the Force's 28-16 victory.
Skinny Choc
ANTHONY "Choc" Mundine was well beaten by Joshua Clottey last week but you can't doubt his gameness and courage.
Five times in 10 rounds he went down for the count, and each time he got up and fought on. If it was a league game, he would have been pulled out under the new concussion laws. He shouldn't have been fighting at that light welterweight division anyway. But regardless, you've got to give the man the credit he deserves.
Sydney FC
FRIDAY night fever awaits Frank Farina, coach of Sydney FC, when his men travel south to take on Melbourne Victory in the cut-throat A-League finals playoffs.
No second chances for the team which struggled against Perth Glory before their last-gasp 2-1 win to finish fifth. Central Coast hosts Adelaide United in the 4.30pm elimination final; Brisbane and Western Sydney Wanderers have a bye.
