Wade Graham, what were you thinking?

Wade Graham was set to be the first Cronulla Shark player to be interviewed by ASADA into their investigation of illegal drug use within sport...what a disaster that turned out to be. In a week where the National Rugby League did not need further embarrassment and scrutiny across the media and wider community Wade Graham decides to wear a reversed baseball-cap, t-shirt, cargo pants and thongs to a hearing which has had widespread media coverage across the nation. This was a great opportunity for the Sharks and the NRL Competition to portray to the wider community its professionalism and its effort into dismissing any links the sport might have with any illegal drug use. Instead however, the NRL and the Cronulla Sharks have further damaged the clubs reputation and the competitions.

The Sharks aren't a club like the South Sydney Rabbitohs or the Brisbane Broncos whom have a substantial membership base to stream revenue through, they are a club whom struggle to stay afloat and retain major sponsors. Consequently, this negativity towards the club through rumours of drug use, player conduct and recently poor performances will know doubt cause a major strain amongst the club and its sponsors.

This is a great opportunity for the National Rugby League, and Dave Smith specifically as the Chief Executive Officer to stamp his authority and set a precedent with Graham. Wade definitely deserves to be fined a substantial amount for bringing the game into disrepute and should be stood down from playing for a set period of time. This will ensure that player think about their conduct in future instead of taking their careers and lifestyles for granted.