James Graham workhorse

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

James Graham may not have the metre eating abilities he once did, but after his recent tackle fests I think he’s suited at lock, he can just do JDBs job of playing big minutes and tacking like a demon along with McInnes and let Vaughan and co do the big carries up the guts. Thoughts?

 

[boardlumps62]

Jeez he was on his hands and knees after a collision with team mate I thought he was finished for the day. Nope gets up and keeps working his arse off. Doesn't need to be a prop don't think he is that big just a tireless worker. Second rower or lock just need him reveving up lazy forwards.

 

[Eatons Hill Dragon]

James Graham may not have the metre eating abilities he once did, but after his recent tackle fests I think he’s suited at lock, he can just do JDBs job of playing big minutes and tacking like a demon along with McInnes and let Vaughan and co do the big carries up the guts. Thoughts?

Yes can only see this working with strong carries then from Vaughan and Josh Kerr.
Well no Kerr so that won't happen.
There is a very real chance that by the 25 minute mark on Sunday our middle three forwards are Graham, Kaufusi and Latimore. Any wonder we leak points either side of half time.
Last year our middle was probably DeBelin, AhMah and either Graham / Vaughan either side of Oranges.

 

[hazzbeen]

The guy is as tough as teak , all heart he would be the one Id want in the trenches ...... Too bad the rest apart from (McInnes ) haven't got his motivation and drive ......

 

[Gareth67]

Lawdy- what I wouldn’t give to have had him playing for the Red & Whites when he was only a young fella .

Did you see the mans reaction when the Dragons loss on Friday night , it was almost as if he was venting his fury on the footy gods for the defeat - now that is the type of player that every team would give their middle testicule for .

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

James Graham may not have the metre eating abilities he once did, but after his recent tackle fests I think he’s suited at lock, he can just do JDBs job of playing big minutes and tacking like a demon along with McInnes and let Vaughan and co do the big carries up the guts. Thoughts?

One of Graham's unique skills as a prop is that he can ball play before the line.
So making 60 tackles a game certainly doesn't do much for this particular skill.
Graham is the sort of player that will give you everything he's got....until he finally collapses.
He won't turn it up, he won't complain and he will never want to come off regardless of what condition he's in.
We all know he's courageous and we all know he's got heart.
My questions is - Is this the best way to utilize this guy?
Flogging him for 77minutes until he staggers off a wreck?
Surely a smarter way is to play him for say 55-60 minutes in 2 stints when the team needs him most.
When do we concede most points?
When do we raise the white flag?
Usually it's just before half time and second half. That is when he should be on the field if we are serious about turning things around.
So what's wrong with bringing on and giving say Vaughn a rest after 25 minutes before half time and then let Graham play the whole second half.
He'll still do a mountain of tackling but surely, we can use him more judicially.
I noticed we don't have a back on our bench this weekend.
It only took McGregor 20 rounds to figure out that we should be playing with 4 forwards on the bench - always.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

One of Graham's unique skills as a prop is that he can ball play before the line.
So making 60 tackles a game certainly doesn't do much for this particular skill.
Graham is the sort of player that will give you everything he's got....until he finally collapses.
He won't turn it up, he won't complain and he will never want to come off regardless of what condition he's in.
We all know he's courageous and we all know he's got heart.
My questions is - Is this the best way to utilize this guy?
Flogging him for 77minutes until he staggers off a wreck?
Surely a smarter way is to play him for say 55-60 minutes in 2 stints when the team needs him most.
When do we concede most points?
When do we raise the white flag?
Usually it's just before half time and second half. That is when he should be on the field if we are serious about turning things around.
So what's wrong with bringing on and giving say Vaughn a rest after 25 minutes before half time and then let Graham play the whole second half.
He'll still do a mountain of tackling but surely, we can use him more judicially.
I noticed we don't have a back on our bench this weekend.
It only took McGregor 20 rounds to figure out that we should be playing with 4 forwards on the bench - always.

He can’t play as a ball playing lock?

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

He can’t play as a ball playing lock?

He probably can but all I saw him do against Souths was tackle himself to a standstill.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Lawdy- what I wouldn’t give to have had him playing for the Red & Whites when he was only a young fella .

Did you see the mans reaction when the Dragons loss on Friday night , it was almost as if he was venting his fury on the footy gods for the defeat - now that is the type of player that every team would give their middle testicule for .

He and McInnes can’t be faulted, especially McInnes if we can just get a touch more quality around those guys I’d love to see McInnes loft that trophy as captain some day.

 

[Old Timer]

This thread and some of the posts IMO encapsulate what is wrong with our club and the fan base
Because the year is so tragically poor we try to look for a positive and then we lose sight of reality.
James Graham came to us busted and on tired legs. He is a mere shadow of the dominant player he was 5 years ago.
He barely makes 8 metres a run, he gets far too much ball in attacking situations, his ball playing is almost negligible as he is now dominated rather than him dominating.
Yes he might be making 50+ tackles but the ones he now misses due to age, lack of lateral mobility, playing far too many minutes are all very telling (often result in a try) and he knows it and thumps the ground when he does miss them.
Unfortunately he got old and his best was well before he came here.
People want to highlight his efforts because other players efforts are so appallingly bad but you have to be honest in your assessment.
JG brings passion, a great work ethic, steely resolve but his football ability is well on the wane.
When the Dogs offered him up with a subsidised salary it wasn’t as if a top 8 club said “let’s grab him as he will make the difference and get us close to a premiership”
We got him because he had little to beat in the quality of what was on our books and because he was cheap and fitted good old Mc Fookknuckle’s criteria.
I wish we had JG 5 years ago and I’m sure my sentiments would be very different.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

This thread and some of the posts IMO encapsulate what is wrong with our club and the fan base
Because the year is so tragically poor we try to look for a positive and then we lose sight of reality.
James Graham came to us busted and on tired legs. He is a mere shadow of the dominant player he was 5 years ago.
He barely makes 8 metres a run, he gets far too much ball in attacking situations, his ball playing is almost negligible as he is now dominated rather than him dominating.
Yes he might be making 50+ tackles but the ones he now misses due to age, lack of lateral mobility, playing far too many minutes are all very telling (often result in a try) and he knows it and thumps the ground when he does miss them.
Unfortunately he got old and his best was well before he came here.
People want to highlight his efforts because other players efforts are so appallingly bad but you have to be honest in your assessment.
JG brings passion, a great work ethic, steely resolve but his football ability is well on the wane.
When the Dogs offered him up with a subsidised salary it wasn’t as if a top 8 club said “let’s grab him as he will make the difference and get us close to a premiership”
We got him because he had little to beat in the quality of what was on our books and because he was cheap and fitted good old Mc Fookknuckle’s criteria.
I wish we had JG 5 years ago and I’m sure my sentiments would be very different.

That’s just life in general in my opinion, some people naturally take a more positive view on life and always will and some people will always look for negatives it’s just how one is wired I suppose.
I wouldn’t agree that the fan base is always too positive either I see far more negative comments than positive ones on this forum for example.

 

[Old Timer]

That’s just life in general in my opinion, some people naturally take a more positive view on life and always will and some people will always look for negatives it’s just how one is wired I suppose.
I wouldn’t agree that the fan base is always too positive either I see far more negative comments than positive ones on this forum for example.

Indeed their are more negative one's as a rule but in amongst them people try to salvage something by this type of thread.
If it was about Saab's debut and potential, Mc Innes's efforts then for sure it would be different but trying to use JG football ability as the catalyst for positivity is a bit bewildering to me as I just can't see his efforts as being that.
Honourable yes but outstanding or season changing no.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Indeed their are more negative one's as a rule but in amongst them people try to salvage something by this type of thread.
If it was about Saab's debut and potential, Mc Innes's efforts then for sure it would be different but trying to use JG football ability as the catalyst for positivity is a bit bewildering to me as I just can't see his efforts as being that.
Honourable yes but outstanding or season changing no.

No I’m just saying it could be a good role for him as he can’t make big metres anymore but if he can make that many tackles a game he’s still very handy.

 

[Old Timer]

No I’m just saying it could be a good role for him as he can’t make big metres anymore but if he can make that many tackles a game he’s still very handy.

I actually hope the club retain him in a coaching advisory role and give Head, Hornby & Young the flick.
The trouble with that is can anyone work with Mc Fookknuckle?

 

[Walpole]

The thing with Graham is it's hard to bag a bloke who tries so hard when so many others are just not having a go. He's also poorly used by the coach but what's new there?

To my mind, he would be best used for 20 minutes either side of half time. 40 minutes of going as hard as he can with a break in between. He'd provide leadership when some of the starters are off and make sure the bench players maintained intensity while the likes of Vaughan have a rest.

Or we could just play him until he collapses and replace him with a winger when he's carried off on a stretcher from exhaustion with four minutes to go.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

I actually hope the club retain him in a coaching advisory role and give Head, Hornby & Young the flick.
The trouble with that is can anyone work with Mc Fookknuckle?

Jesse Ramien will hopefully because he looks to have a bit of biff in him. On that situation jeez Browny has had a few dust ups with players.

 

[Dennis Papaioannou]

This thread and some of the posts IMO encapsulate what is wrong with our club and the fan base
Because the year is so tragically poor we try to look for a positive and then we lose sight of reality.
James Graham came to us busted and on tired legs. He is a mere shadow of the dominant player he was 5 years ago.
He barely makes 8 metres a run, he gets far too much ball in attacking situations, his ball playing is almost negligible as he is now dominated rather than him dominating.
Yes he might be making 50+ tackles but the ones he now misses due to age, lack of lateral mobility, playing far too many minutes are all very telling (often result in a try) and he knows it and thumps the ground when he does miss them.
Unfortunately he got old and his best was well before he came here.
People want to highlight his efforts because other players efforts are so appallingly bad but you have to be honest in your assessment.
JG brings passion, a great work ethic, steely resolve but his football ability is well on the wane.
When the Dogs offered him up with a subsidised salary it wasn’t as if a top 8 club said “let’s grab him as he will make the difference and get us close to a premiership”
We got him because he had little to beat in the quality of what was on our books and because he was cheap and fitted good old Mc Fookknuckle’s criteria.
I wish we had JG 5 years ago and I’m sure my sentiments would be very different.

Almost all of our signings these days are second pick compromises and JG is a perfect example of that.
If his salary was not subsidized we would never have signed him.
Fans like Graham for his passion and never say die attitude.
Other than McInnes and Frizzel, we don't have many players like that and so the fans admire and support him in spite of his shortcomings.
In the cold light of day of course you are right in your assessment but I feel all this has to do with our inability to attract top line players.
While unqualified impersonators like McGregor are portrayed as "career coaches", no player that wants to advance their career, will come and play with St. George.
We have no heart and the style of football we play is 2 dimensional and boring.
We are a dead set laughing stock when it comes to recruitment and the only thing that will remedy that is the introduction of a true mentor and technically proficient coach.
The first thing he has to do is rebuild our culture as a football team.
Never give up, backs to the wall, play for each other and so on.
None of these white flag surrenders which have regularly punctuated McGregor's tenure.
Then watch how we will attract good players and become a premiership force once again.
In hindsight, what Bennett achieved in 3 years at St. George was a miracle.
He showed us the way forward but unfortunately we have lurched from one compromise to another ever since.

 

[Carlton]

What the hell are some of these posters on. James Graham is playing fantastically at lock, he has passion and whats this crap about tired legs?

The only reason they're tired is because he is making 60 tackles and is the only player chasing the oppositions breaks. Dont run him down, get whatever it is he is on and give it to the rest of the team. The only other player putting in a similar effort is McInness and we have posters who want to get rid of him.

Rugby League isnt about flash, its about effort and doing all the little things that take energy. These two guys are specials and when you have them in your team there is no excuses for the rest of the team. They are the ultimate workhorses every team needs and you build a team around.

 

[getsmarty]

DRAGONS


#Graham400 through the years
Wed 7 Aug 2019, 02:41 PM
Enjoy this trip down memory lane as we celebrate the career of #GRAHAM400




https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/08/07/graham400-through-the-years/

 

[getsmarty]

"Graham passionate from the start": Millward


DRAGONS


400 to one: Millward reflects on Graham milestone
Author
Jack Brady Dragons media and communications executive
Timestamp
Thu 8 Aug 2019, 03:51 PM

Almost 16 years ago to the day – August 15, 2003 – a very special individual celebrated a very distinct milestone in any young rugby league player's life.

Donning the No. 30, St Helens would unleash a fiery 17-year-old front-rower from the interchange against the Castleford Tigers.

James Graham was his name, and if you didn't know then, you would soon realise that this red-headed, larger than life character was going to make a huge splash in the rugby league annals over the next two decades.

St George Illawarra's Round 21 clash against the Gold Coast Titans this weekend will see Graham celebrate his 400th first grade game (St Helens 224 games, Bulldogs 135, Dragons 41).


To put Graham's longevity into perspective, the Dragons' latest debutant Jason Saab was only two years old when the now 33-year-old commenced his career.

While he is now known as the Dragons' Director of Rugby League Pathways and List Management, Ian Millward would be the man to green light Graham's Super League debut as the then St Helens coach.

"I remember I'd come out of my office of an evening to watch the juniors train, James was always a good size but really skinny, although he was always so passionate," Millward recalled.

"He was always one of our real promising players coming through the grades at St Helens. There was always this feeling that – although he had no rugby league background – James had great potential and we wanted to get him through to the Super League as quick as possible."

Indeed, with James being from the Merseyside, soccer-mad town of Maghull, rugby league wasn't high on the agenda. Instead the Everton tragic Graham's time would be best spent bantering with his Liverpudlian mother.

But like always, rugby league would find a way to source out the best. A flyer promoting the St Helens Crusaders junior rugby league would be Graham's gateway to an illustrious career.

"St Helens are renowned for bringing juniors through so when he came into the system full-time he was able to spend 12 months feeding off some really good players who were always in a position to win trophies," Millward said.

"James thrived in this good culture. When it came to his debut, we were at home and we thought it was a great time to bring him into the team. He ripped and teared in – his enthusiasm for the game was there for all to see."



Graham's NRL success never in doubt

Graham's list of achievements is as long as his arm given his 48 Tests (43 for England, five for Great Britain) and two NRL All Stars appearances. With a trophy cabinet including the 2008 Man of Steel and 2014 Dally M Prop of the Year it's hard to argue the outstanding impact he's had.

Millward however judges James's passion, temperament, desire and enthusiasm as to why he's been so successful throughout his career.

"I remember watching England Schoolboys play against Australia in Featherstone on a freezing Saturday night. There would have been 300 people there. They all lined up for the national anthems and James sang it so loud," Millward said.

"I was hoping he'd back it up with his performance because he sounded like an opera singer. He was the captain that day and it would end up being the first time England would beat Australia at schoolboy level.

"He was always going to make it. He's not changed either. He's still that same person. It's quite eerie for me. When I talk to him now or whenever I'm around him, I feel like this is still James the kid I knew, still that great person."

The chance to bring Graham to the Dragons in 2018 was an opportunity Millward couldn't pass on.

"Even when Mary (coach Paul McGregor met him) his first impression was that 'I want to go to war with him'. To be able to bring him here was massive," Millward said.

"He has one more year left on his contract which is huge too – given it was a player option. He could've had a farewell season at St Helens or head to the Toronto Wolfpack given his wife is Canadian, but he wanted to stay.

"He has given the Dragons so much as well as St Helens, the Bulldogs and England."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/08/08/400-to-one-millward-reflects-on-graham-milestone/