For so long he was arguably the best kept secret in the NRL.
A strong, damaging edge back-rower with silky, subtle skills and sleight of hand – an underrated kicking game, a decent offload, good hands, an ability to throw the right pass – and still a 96-kilogram forward with the ability to hit like a truck in defence.
For at least two years prior to his State of Origin call up, which finally came this season, the cries – heard loudest in the shire – were for Wade Graham to finally earn the representative recognition he deserved.
Graham achieved that goal in NSW’s win in game three. And 2016 might be able to get even better.
If Graham is to be left standing on the field at ANZ Stadium on Sunday with his arms aloft, celebrating a first premiership, it would be the perfect finale to a breakout season for the 25-year-old which saw his talent burst out of the shadows.
“[Winning a premiership], it’s a dream come true really, isn’t it?” Graham told the Leader.
“When you’re a little kid [it’s your dream] then you start to get older and the footy becomes a bit more serious.
“[Now] it’s about winning and having a good season and getting a comp at the end of it would be a dream come true.”
As good as his first taste of State of Origin was Graham said it would count for little on Sunday.
But his experience of playing – and beating – Melbourne’s representative stars Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk at his only attempt could prove invaluable.
“I don’t really get caught up in dissecting it,” he said.
“It’s a game of footy to me. I’m going to try and go out there and put in my best performance for the team.
“I know if I can play well I can contribute in a positive way to the team. That’s what I’m focused on.
“Obviously every bit of experience helps but I just need to go out and play well.”
Cronulla’s record against the Storm this season might also give the side confidence.
A strong win at Southern Cross Group Stadium early on in the season was followed by a tough defeat in the final round of the regular season as the sides battled for the minor premiership.
But Cronulla had plenty of opportunities that night and were the better side for large portions of the game.
“We can take a little bit out of it. I don’t think that should be our sole focus. Sunday is a different game, it’s a grand final. Both teams are going to be laying everything on the line,” Graham said.
“We know Melbourne are a great team. They don’t really give you too much.
“Any team coached by Craig Bellamy and with guys like Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith leading the way they complete really high and they’re really disciplined. They do all the little things really well.
“They just make you earn everything. It’s up to us to play a good style of footy and execute our stuff and hopefully we get the result.”