James Graham.

[getsmarty]

Graham cagey on possible early exit

Mitch Jennings@@Mitch_Jenno

3 Sep 2017, 4:06 p.m.

FAREWELL?: James Graham after the Bulldogs victory. Picture: NRL Photos


IT had all the appearances of a farewell but Bulldogs skipper James Graham remained tight-lipped on his pending shift to the Dragons after his side’s 26-20 win on Sunday.

Graham walked alongside club favourite son Josh Reynolds thanking the Dogs faithful in the aftermath of the match. It came amid reports that his departure to the Dragons is a done-deal as the Dogs look to clear salary cap space.

The English Test prop put the display down to wanting to farewell good mate Reynolds and Dragons coach Paul McGregor was also non-commital when quizzed post-match.

“At the moment, it’s only speculation,” McGregor said.

“Last year there was [contract] talk about everyone and we signed three players no one thought we were going to sign,” McGregor said.

“I’ll wait til it’s done. If it’s done, he’s a current International, he’s inspirational in the way he plays and very passionate about what he does.”

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4897702/graham-cagey-on-possible-early-exit/?cs=3713

 

[dragon thomo]

If he had any brains he would go to Newcastle.

 

[TomRedVRiver]

The selfless James Graham act at Bulldogs that proves his value as Dragons signing
DRAGONS

• September 4, 2017 11:11am
• NATHAN RYAN@nath_ryan
• Source: FOX SPORTS

Best mates emotional farewell
THIS one act demonstrates just what St George Illawarra have bought for next season.
Far more than his tough carries, crunching defence and never say die attitude, James Graham is a leader.

And he’s a selfless and humble one at that.

This week the Dragons will confirm they’ve signed Graham on a three-year-deal which will see him finish his NRL career in the Red V.

While much has been made of Ben Hunt’s $1 million move from Brisbane next season, Graham’s signature could just be the most important signing in the club’s recent history.

Live stream the 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week FOXTEL NOW trial and start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >

On paper the loss of Josh Dugan is a substantial one but where the Dragons lose splashes of flashy brilliance, they gain character and integrity with the arrival of Graham by the truckload.

While the Bulldogs will contribute to Graham’s salary for next season, the move wouldn’t have been financially possible if Dugan had re-signed.

Graham is an emotional man.

James Graham and Josh Reynolds farewell the crowd.Source: News Corp Australia
That’s part of what makes him so special.

You’ll struggle to find a better leader.

This is a bloke who’ll never be late for the bus.

This is the guy who’s not only first on it but he’s the man most likely to drive the thing if the driver couldn’t turn up.

While Dugan has long been accused of putting himself first and the team second, Graham is wired differently.

Knowing this would be his last time in the blue and white strip, the skipper had every right to shine a bit of the spotlight on himself over the weekend but that’s not his style.

Instead he let his little mate Josh Reynolds stand front and centre.

He asked Reynolds to lead the team out for the final game of the season.

It was his decision, not Des Hasler’s.

“I wasn’t sure what to think when he asked me,” Reynolds said. “I’ve already had my (send off) at Belmore and that was amazing.

“It means a lot for James and the boys to keep making it special. It’s hard because you don’t want it to be about yourself.”

James Graham makes a tackle.Source: AAP
Reynolds leaves the club for a fresh start with the Wests Tigers next season.

Essentially nudged out the door when the club decided to sign Kieran Foran on a lucrative deal, the departure of the man affectionately known as ‘Grub’ left Graham shattered.

It was a friendship built over six seasons.

The red head arrived at Belmore in 2012 from St Helens.

While Graham is three years Reynolds’ senior, the Englishman declared the No.6 is his best mate.

“It’s been a long journey. It’s hard for me, this guy’s become one of my best mates and he’s going to be moving on to pastures new,” Graham said, with Reynolds sitting alongside him in the post-match presser.

“It’s sad but sport does that to people doesn’t it? It brings people together.

Josh Reynolds embraces James Graham of the Bulldogs.Source: Getty Images
“It brings you close with people from opposite sides of the world. I grew up as a kid in Liverpool and he’s bouncing around at Belmore. We’re best of friends aren’t we?”

Graham’s proud of his best friend.

A man not embarrassed to wear his heart on his sleeve.

While his chapter at Belmore has come to a close, perhaps it’s made a little easier due to the fact he can clear out his locker and walk out the gates alongside Reynolds.

Reynolds heads for Tiger town, Graham for the gong and the Dragons are being delivered someone special.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Lets hope Grahams signing turns out be a good one.....we will find out after round 26 next year.....by the way thats 12 months away.....learnt a painful lesson to get excited before then Im afraid

 

[possm]

Lets hope Grahams signing turns out be a good one.....we will find out after round 26 next year.....by the way thats 12 months away.....learnt a painful lesson to get excited before then Im afraid

Graham
McInnes
Vaughan
Thompson
Frizell
De Belin

Ah Mau
Lawrie
Sims
Robson

Coach: Hasler/ or Mage or Henry

Looks extremely good to me.

 

[Belta]

Graham is another addition to our pack which proved to be as good as any, it's our backs that need to improve, appears to be plenty in the junior ranks

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Graham is another addition to our pack which proved to be as good as any, it's our backs that need to improve, appears to be plenty in the junior ranks

I agree wholeheartedly with this statement re our backs .....unfortunately Im not sure with some we have currently playing 1st grade that theres much improvement to be had sadly

 

[emu62]

At this stage not sure on the Graham signing but if he bites McWreckers ears as he did Slaters it would be money well spent IMO.No loss after all, McWrecker doesn't use them as he doesn't listen to anyone else

 

[Saintsified]

McGregor will probably play Graham on the wing.

 

[Brutalitops]

McGregor will probably play Graham on the wing.

Faster than Nightingale at least

 

[getsmarty]

McGregor will probably play Graham on the wing.

Or Half

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

McGregor will probably play Graham on the wing.

No your wrong he will be on the bench pulling splinters out of young Manns arse

 

[slippery5]

Graham
McInnes
Vaughan
Thompson
Frizell
De Belin

Ah Mau
Lawrie
Sims
Robson

Coach: Hasler/ or Mage or Henry

Looks extremely good to me.

No spot for Ah Mau in my team, served us adequately but need to move on with someone who can bust a line.

 

[coast_dragons]

No spot for Ah Mau in my team, served us adequately but need to move on with someone who can bust a line.

Who exactly are you talking about out of curiosty.

Right across the entire forward pack imo I don't see any of them being that type of player not a single one.

Is this due to bad coaching maybe but its a workman like forward pack and thats it.

 

[slippery5]

Who exactly are you talking about out of curiosty.

Right across the entire forward pack imo I don't see any of them being that type of player not a single one.

Is this due to bad coaching maybe but its a workman like forward pack and thats it.

Yes, the coach had us playing a POWER game remember.

 

[West coast dragon]

McGregor will probably play Graham on the wing.

Has he got speed?

 

[SBD82]

No spot for Ah Mau in my team, served us adequately but need to move on with someone who can bust a line.

You are surely joking. Ah Mau has been great for us for several seasons.

 

[Old Timer]

You are surely joking. Ah Mau has been great for us for several seasons.

Come on it's time for these blokes to get a new whipping boy
Merrin gone, Rein gone, Benji gone, Duges gone so therefore it's LAM's turn to cop it now.

 

[thebigredv]

I've said this before but we can truly sign whoever we want and we'd still never win anything. Dugan, Widdop both decent, forwards, decent, Hunt coming, great. However, as long as Paul McGregor is coach we will continue to compete for scraping into the finals rather than compete once more for the trophy. God, I miss when we actually used to be serious about winning the premiership.

I do realise I am repeating what I and others have said monotonously, but what really is left to say. I can't cop the way this club is surrendering and pretending, laying down. Then again, much longer and I will give up and go support golf or handball instead. Dead set.

 

[j0nesy]

WTF? Now our forward pack is copping it and Ah Mau. Ah Mau is an excellent front rower, hardly makes a mistake and makes a mountain of post contact meters.

Come on, our pack is one of the best in the comp and will be better next season with the signing of Graham and continued development of some our young players. I thought Lawrie had his best game for us against the Dogs. Then there's Host, Sele and Leilua.

Our backline was our big issue this season. With addition of Hunt, next season, i think our outside backs will be our problem. Lafai is inconsistent, Aitken's positional play in defence is questionable, Nightingale is solid but is too slow and MacDonald lacks heart and is quite slow off the mark. We have Garrick, Herbert, Lomax, Johns and Marsters all coming through the junior ranks. The latter 3 are probably a couple of seasons off, but if one of Garrick or Herbert doesn't crack the top grade next season I'll be very surprised.