Sharks net young half
By Darren Walton
September 10, 2008
WITH one eye on the NRL finals and the other on the future, the Sharks are abuzz with excitement after unearthing a rare talent to hopefully fill the boots of departing half-back Brett Kimmorley.
Eighteen-year-old Jason McGrady - the nephew of former Rothman's Medallist Ewan McGrady - is joining Cronulla on a two-year deal after inspiring Orara Valley to a dramatic Group 2 grand final victory over Woolgoolga in Coffs Harbour.
McGrady bagged two tries, including a spectacular 85-metre solo effort, in the Axemen's 19-18 extra-time triumph at Woolgoolga Sports Ground.
While the precocious teenager, along with fellow 18-year-old Axemen recruit Nick Reid, will join Cronulla's under-20s program, the street tip is that Sharks coach Ricky Stuart is planning to blood McGrady alongside Trent Barrett during the second half of next season.
There's been very good reports on him and he's certainly been identified as a player of the future, Sharks chief Tony Zappia said.
Ricky has seen him on tape and is very impressed with what he's got to offer and he's very hopeful that he's going to come through the Toyota Cup and obviously next 18 months play first grade.
Hailing from the same country division as Melbourne Storm superstar Greg Inglis, McGrady is viewed by the Sharks as another little gem.
Sharks talent scout Craig Wilson says he especially admires the young aboriginal's skill and toughness.
Probably the beauty of Jason is that he's one of those kids that's just a natural footballer and what excites us is that he's pretty willing on both sides of the game, Wilson said.
He doesn't stay away in defence. He just puts his body in as much as when he gets the ball, which is a good sign. He's certainly got some qualities.
He's got the attribute of speed and skill combined with putting his body on the line.
So that's a good thing to have at that age.
And the things he does, he does with a fair bit of class and the more you watch him, the better you think he could be.
McGrady's father, Jason McGrady Snr, played for the Bulldogs in the early 90s and, along with the rest of the family, is moving to Sydney to support his son.
He's got a good network behind him, Wilson said.
It will be a big adjustment for him, coming from Orara Valley to Sydney, but we're very confident that he'll do it.
He seems to be pretty happy with it all.
Also what's good for him is that he's playing that standard of football in the bush.
The old man has also played at a high level and obviously the uncle.
So he's obviously grown up with football, which probably explains why he can instinctively do things.
With Kimmorley heading to the Bulldogs next season, Cronulla have moved quickly to shore up the halfback ranks, beating several other NRL clubs to snare McGrady and Reid.
Between the two of them, they're both pretty handy footballers and they'll build up a bit of a combination, which is always important at that level, Wilson said.
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