NRL finals news 2022, Cronulla Sharks captain Wade Graham emotional tribute to Andrew Fifita and Aiden Tolman
Cronulla captain Wade Graham paid an emotional and heartfelt tribute to departing players Andrew Fifita and Aiden Tolman after the Sharks were bundled out of finals.
A 38-12 loss to South Sydney at Allianz Stadium ended the club’s season, and the club careers of the two forwards.
Tolman is retiring from the game, while Fifita is leaving Cronulla but remains open to joining another club if he can get a contract.
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Tolman played most of his career at Canterbury but became a key part of the Sharks pack in the last two years, while Fifita began his career at the Tigers but spent the last decade at Shark Park.
Fifita was best on the field when Cronulla won the 2016 grand final – although he did not receive the Clive Churchill Medal to prove it – and received high praise from Graham after his Sharks career came to an end.
“It’s disappointing that we didn’t perform and we couldn’t go further for them,” Graham told media after the loss.
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“Two guys who are just out and out legend blokes, and their careers are full of the stuff that makes a good teammate, makes a good player.
“Look at (Tolman) at the three clubs he’s played at, you could talk to all his teammates (about) how reliable he is, how much you trust him out on the field. He’s no-nonsense at training… he’s just a good guy.
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“Good clubman, good person, and good family man. He’s played over 300 games and not many people have done that in the fashion he has.
“And of course Andrew, it’s hard to put into words how good he has been for the club.
“He is the best front-rower the club has had. He’s a legend of the club, his iconic try in the (2016) grand final helped deliver the first premiership to the club.
“As disappointing as it is tonight that we couldn’t continue that journey for them further, those two guys can certainly look back and hold their heads high, walk proudly and be proud of what they’ve accomplished in the game.”
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