James Graham.

[red rocket]

FMD what do you want from the guy? You don't buy a prop to create in attack, that's why we bought a halfback.

You buy a prop to chew up metres, generate momentum and make tackles, and anything else they bring is a bonus. Graham showed he can do that, his chase on Dugan shows his willingness to put in effort and his leadership and ball skills have been on show for years. Ergo, he is a good signing to replace the starting front rower that we lost.

This is like your bullshit about Sims - complained because he didn't single handedly win us games and when he did that, you complained that he only did it once! Take the signing for what it is - a very good front rower to replace a starting prop - and judge him against others in his position.[/

 

[red rocket]

Great post Benny he is also the type of player that will improve those around him he is a huge upgrade on packer

 

[Walpole]

Geez OT, you're being a bit tough on Graham. If his toughness and natural leadership, plus Hunt's playmaking abilities don't improve the team next year, and in particular take some of the pressure off Widdop, we might as well just quit the NRL and play in the NSW cup.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

IMO we have far greater concerns than Graham at this stage......try 2 centres and 2 wingers for starters.....and even though Im a big fan of young Dufty time will tell with him I guess

 

[TruSaint]

IMO we have far greater concerns than Graham at this stage......try 2 centres and 2 wingers for starters.....and even though Im a big fan of young Dufty time will tell with him I guess

yep.. need to strengthen the backline. Forwards and halves can match it with anyone IMHO.

 

[Old Timer]

All the guffaw about Graham is understandable but IMO not overly logical.
Averaged 8.5 m / run last year with 1 LB, 1 TA, 8 offloads.
Had his worst total metres run since by some 400m since arriving, had a significant neck injury and is going to be 33 / 34 whilst he plays for us.
Hardly terrifying stats however they are very workhorse numbers and obviously many see that as what we need but I don't agree.
Then people hanging their hat on the way he chases and giving people a spray so we have purchased a captain is that the answer?
But will he be captain and isn't motivation and enthusiasm the domain of the coach?
Do the deficiencies in our coach force us to buy a player to counteract it, well if that is true then we are more shit as a club than I could imagine.
People asking me who else would I have taken
1. I have always believed that JDB could go to front row (many say 13 today is like 8 & 9) and that with a bit of juggling that could free up a back row position for Sele, Host etc.
2. I was already on the record that I thought Blair would be a good fit although acknowledge some risk and him being a grub but he can play and turn games.
3. Sam Burgess great alpha forward and would have been happy to try and secure RCG Penrith or Junior Paulo Raiders.
4. Hell would have been happy to see the promotion of the young brigade and blood them and be patient for a year.

 

[Drag Queen]

I want Graham purely for his leadership role and take no prisoners position. He's the kick in the arse we so sorely need.

 

[BennyV]

You ask what I want well it is obvious I want a ball playing and creative prop
How many more metres do you think we need to get we already made plenty of metres last year
Yes we now have a half and that’s great but exactly what is wrong in your opinion with having a ball playing prop?
Don’t you think it would be an attractive addition to the team and offer another set of options for defence to consider?
Re your comment from re Simms well time for you to be fair and acknowledge where I did give him credit for improvement. I still don’t see him as the big game breaker others see him as.
For the record that criticism is a bit rich coming from you when you were the Lafai zealot (can’t wait for you to ark up again when you read that line)
Re JG replacing a starting prop well Packer both started and came off the bench and was also touted as being a bloke that could break the line and offload so are you telling me that is Graham’s skill set?
Yes he was like that 3 years ago but recent form shows him as a tackling and head down prop and IMO we need better than that.

You want a ball playing and creative prop, and based on that you are disappointed we've signed James Graham?! Who is the better ball-playing prop you want?!?!

Not to mention you then list Blair, Burgess, Pauli, RCG and juniors, none of whom are ball playing props, as your preferences?!?!

And as I said, it ain't about gaining more metres, is about replacing Packer - note, he was missing half the year and we felt it, bad.

As for what will help our team up the ladder - you know that I believe no player can do that while Mary holds the cards.

Mate, you know I respect most of what you post on here but this one just seems like you're clutching at straws for a good whinge..

 

[Belta]

I say this knowing that most NRL players speak only praise about ex-team mates, but I still feel Klemmer recently appeared very sincere and appeared to show much gratitude towards Graham for taking him under his wing and developing him as a player. And yes thre is no hiding that age does weary us all, and we are getting an older Graham than what first arrived at the Bulldogs, but I really do feel there is more layers to Graham than what we initially see. Sure we could lament on better options (although you wonder how many we could actually get anyway) but he'll b good for us I'm sure, in more ways than we'll know.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

yep.. need to strengthen the backline. Forwards and halves can match it with anyone IMHO.

Spot on bud.....if we are to threaten the top sides this area needs attention asap

 

[FlameThrower]

Graham is like a predictable and reliable draft horse and will be an upgrade on Packer. Knucklehead just needs to get the three-quarter line firing and if he can not do this sack him immediately as it should be a simple task with no room for his pathetic excuses. Dufty, Widdop and Hunt aside he needs to choose in form players.
Nightingale scored 16 tries this year sp he should get a stsrt. Lafai did little last night. Aitken scored a few tries last year but needs to improve his defence and learn how to pass. MacDonald is lacksadaisical and needs a rocket up his arse so replace him with Garrick, Herbert or Lomax. There is no room for Mary and his clowns to dither and whine. Results are all that count.

Pretty fair summary ..

 

[possm]

Wamsley is our missing link in the prop rotation

 

[TomRedVRiver]

http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2017/11/01/meet_james_graham.html

Finally we get to see James in Dragons colours. Outstanding interview as well.
Cannot wait to see this guy run out for us, huge pick up!

 

[Slippery Morris]

He is a great buy and can be used as an impact player off the bench as he gets older. He is one that will give 100% at all times. Does not look like the type who will take short cuts or come for a top up on his pension.

Compared to Packer is a slight upgrade. Packer was great but Graham on his day is a beast.

I think players like Jack Be Bellin, Sims, Thommo and Vaughny will flourish under him. I don't think Ben Hunt will sit back and let Graham hog the ball in the halves. Ben Hunt I am assuming will get full control here. They won't be paying a guy 1 mil to sit back and take orders from a nuffy coach.

Saints recruitment are smart, they are buying players like Graham that don't need to be coached and can run a gameplan themselves how they see it. Hunt and Graham will play what they see not wait for Mary to tell them to do these rubbish block plays which is probably what they want. They probably see Mary as a guy that creates a good culture which I think they have as the players seem pretty happy and dig in for each other.

With Dugan gone, the culture may even get better as judging by his latest Origin and Penrith gameday shenanigans proved he has a care factor of zero for his team mates and especially coach.

Here is hoping to a new and improved Saints for 2018 even with the current coach.

 

[getsmarty]

Meet James Graham
Wed 1st November, 12:00PM
A A



St George Illawarra are pleased to officially name James Graham as a Dragons player for at least the next three seasons.

November 1 of every year brings in a new beginning for each of the 16 NRL clubs, and 2018 will prove no different with Graham just one of the Dragons' several recruits for the upcoming season.

http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2017/11/01/meet_james_graham.html

 

[getsmarty]

James Graham
A A

• Date of Birth: 10-09-1985
• Height: 187
• Weight: 104
• Position: Prop
• Rep. Honours: 5 Tests Great Britain (2006-07), 33 Tests England (2008-2017), World Cup (2008, 2013, 2017), Four Nations (2009-11, 2014, 2016), NRL All Stars (2015), World All Stars (2016)
• Junior Clubs: St Helens Crusaders/Blackbrook ARLFC
• Previous Clubs: St Helens, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
• FG Debut: St Helens v Castleford, August, 2003

Graham joins the Dragons from the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs for the 2018 Telstra Premiership season after signing a three-year deal with the Red V.

The England international made his first grade debut way back in 2003 for St Helens and has proven to be a mainstay in rugby league's elite ever since.

http://www.dragons.com.au/team/profiles/james_graham.html

 

[Pro Dragons]

Graham is one of those special natural leaders who shows great passion and can turn things around when the traditional mid season slump hits.

I believe Graham and Hunt will turn the team into a top 4 side.

 

[ouryear]

Graham is one of those special natural leaders who shows great passion and can turn things around when the traditional mid season slump hits.

I believe Graham and Hunt will turn the team into a top 4 side.

Yes, Geeze I can't wait for this guy to start and put some real STARCH into our team.

And kick some arse, opposition players and even some of our own...if they don't live up to his high standards.

 

[2010]

I think we will now have a pack that will not take a backward step. We now have a world class half combination.

 

[TruSaint]

I think we will now have a pack that will not take a backward step. We now have a world class half combination.

I agree, in fact i thought we had a pack to match it with most this year as well.. Packers injury set us back a little, but overall i cant think of too many games where ur pack was out played. It was poor options in attack, and a disjointed backline. Widdop did well, but the opposition knew he was our " go to " man on critical plays. We had no options. Mary needs to ensure we take advantage of Hunts strengths, along with Widdops... Maybe then our backline can finish off moves, even though i think we are one player short in the backs.. one with speed. Other than that, this is a squad Mary can use no excuse for IMHO.