Harrison Graham has started in four NRL games. On Sunday, he starts in a grand final

Newcastle hooker Harrison Graham is adamant he is ready to fill the void left by suspended teammate Phoenix Crossland in Sunday’s grand final despite wearing the starting No.9 jersey just four times in his NRL career.

Crossland described the fallout from a tackle that broke the leg of Nathan Cleary as “the worst couple of days of my life” after copping a four-game suspension. The New Zealand international will miss the decider against the Roosters and the start of the Kiwis’ World Cup campaign after his sanction was handed down on Tuesday night.

Graham has been a capable foil for Crossland via the interchange bench, but has started only twice for the Knights since switching from the Dolphins at the end of last season.

The Knights have named uncapped rookie Diesel Hagan in their extended squad, raising the prospect of him becoming the first player to debut in a grand final since Eddie Lockhart for Balmain against the Roosters in 1936.

Regardless, Graham believes he is ready for whatever Newcastle requires from him on Sunday.

“I’m ready for whatever the team needs me for,” Graham said.

“A few weeks back in New Zealand, before the finals, I started over there against a quality outfit. Going into that week, I knew I had to stand up because Phoenix was out, and I just tried to bring what he brings to the team … I’ll just have to do that again.”

Crossland won the Danny Buderus medal as Newcastle’s best player of the season, and both men have had a huge influence on Harrison.

“He’s been massive,” Graham said of Crossland. “We’re best mates on and off the field. He epitomises what a Newcastle Knights player is, and everyone looks up to him.

“He’s been our best player all year. His effort areas are the big thing for him, including a lot of things people probably don’t see or that don’t get recognised enough. That’s how he’s helped me.”

Knights legend Buderus, now a member of Justin Holbrook’s coaching staff, has been a mentor to Graham.

“Oh mate, he’s awesome,” Graham said of Buderus. “Since I came here last November, I’ve just been trying to pick his brain every week. We sit down and watch a lot of video together.

“He was arguably the best player in his position, and he’s awesome to learn from.

“I just try to keep picking his brain, even when I’m out on the field and he runs out to give us water. I’m always bouncing ideas off him, he’s been massive for me.”

It’s a heady time for Graham, who is expecting to be a father in October.

“We still have a few more weeks,” he said. “I keep telling her to hold off, but there’s a lot going on. It’s a good distraction off the field, for sure.”

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