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Round 21 vs Titans

G

getsmarty

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DRAGONS


How Mundine and Blacklock influenced 400-gamer Graham
Author
Brad Walter NRL.com Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Tue 6 Aug 2019, 05:00 PM
walterbrad-head.png

Forget Messi or Ronaldo.

James Graham may have grown up in the shadows of Everton’s Goodison Park but when he was a boy he wanted to be like Nathan Blacklock or Anthony Mundine.

“I didn’t quite try the backflips and somersaults but as kids when we would throw the ball around they were probably the two players we wanted to be,” Graham said on the eve of his 400th premiership appearance for St Helens, Canterbury and St George Illawarra.

“I think a lack of pace stymied any ambition of that but you can dare to dream when you are a kid. We would only get one or two games of NRL per week but I can distinctly remember when Blacklock and Mundine were playing for this club and we’d try to do flick passes like them.”

After beginning his career as a 16-year-old for St Helens on August 15, 2003, Graham will reach the milestone in the Dragons match against Gold Coast at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday.

While his feat won’t be afforded the same fanfare as Cameron Smith’s 400th appearance for Melbourne last month because he achieved it with three clubs in two competitions, it is just as remarkable considering Graham has played his entire career in the front-row.



The odd couple: Reynolds and Graham

For someone who has played in eight grand finals for St Helens and Canterbury, this season’s results have been disappointing but Graham hasn’t given up on winning his first NRL premiership with the Dragons and said he hopes to finish his career at the club.

“The fire is still burning so it would mean a lot,” Graham said.

“In an ideal world I would love to finish here. That would be nice. I am here next year barring something tragic happening or unless the club don’t want me and then I would go.

“Whatever happens I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at St George Illawarra and I am looking forward to at least next year and who knows after that. But I have got no ambition to go anywhere else, that’s for sure.”

The 33-year-old Englishman has played just 10 per cent of his career – or 40 of his 399 premiership appearances – for the Dragons but he has had a huge impact on team-mates in his two seasons so far.

Graham feels he owes a debt of gratitude to St George Illawarra after being squeezed out of the Bulldogs during a shake-up at the end of the 2017 season and is unashamedly loyal to the Red V.

“I am incredibly passionate about playing for St George Illawarra,” he said.



Holbrook's plan to turn Titans around

“They gave me a huge opportunity, they really made me feel valued and wanted so it is up to me to repay that for the reasons that they wanted me to come and the attitude they felt I could bring to the club.”

His first coach, Ian Millward, is the head of recruitment for the Dragons and St Helens team-mate Darren Britt, the former Canterbury captain and prop, also had an influence on Graham’s career.

“I was always encouraged to pass the ball a little bit in England and I was fortunate enough when I came into the system at St Helens to be able to see the way Darren Britt played,” he said.

“He was someone who liked to play with the ball and I wasn’t the biggest guy in the world so running over the top of people was never really suited to my body size.”



Retro Round: Dragons v Roosters - Grand Final, 1975

Along with Sam Kasiano, Aiden Tolman and Dale Finucane at the Bulldogs, Graham helped change the way front-rowers played in the NRL as Des Hasler encouraged his forwards to ball play.

“I was fortunate with the coaches I had at St Helens that they really encouraged me and the philosophy was that if someone is in a better position to you pass them the ball,” he said.

Graham also changed, or adapted, his leadership style after being suspended for dangerous contact on Adam Reynolds and contrary conduct for remonstrating aggressively with referee Gerard Sutton after being penalised for the tackle during the 2015 Easter Friday clash with South Sydney.

He offered his support for NRL head of football Graham Annesley’s call on Monday for players to “back off” from approaching referees to debate decisions during games.

“Biochemically I am not the same person any more. I don’t have the same amount of testosterone pumping through the blood as I did back then and that is just and age thing, which is unfortunate,” Graham said.

“Personally I don’t mind watching the theatrics from time to time and the passion but I understand that if I was to do it again I would be facing another suspension so I guess you have to learn because I am not a particularly good watcher of the sport, particularly if it is my team.

“There are times when you have to pull it back a bit but I genuinely do respect the referees and think they have got an incredibly difficult job to do. They are an easy target sometimes.”

Dragons v Titans
What will be the result of their Round 21 clash?

Dragons v Titans What will be the result of their Round 21 clash?
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https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/08/07/how-mundine-and-blacklock-influenced-400-gamer-graham/
 
G

getsmarty

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DRAGONS


Five things: Round 21 v Gold Coast
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Thu 8 Aug 2019, 09:39 PM

With a massive game of milestones upon us, it's time to take a look at five things not to miss ahead of the Dragons' Round 21 clash against the Gold Coast Titans.

#Graham400

Despite hailing from a crazed soccer town and with no rugby league background, there was only one sport James Graham wanted to play.

It was watching players like Anthony Mundine and Nathan Blacklock that first inspired a young Graham to go against the grain of the Merseyside and kick an oval ball instead of a round one.

Since debuting in the Super League in 2003, Graham hasn’t stopped playing rugby league, not even for injury. While the front row is physically the most demanding position, Graham has played each year for the past 16 seasons in an incredible feat of endurance.

The Dragons have plenty planned for #Graham400 at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah, including a #Graham400 playing card so make sure you secure your seat here.



Graham's NRL success never in doubt

Liverpool to Kogarah

Since making his first grade debut for St Helens while still in school, it wasn’t long before his performances earned him a regular spot in the squad.

In 2006, Graham helped St Helens to a dominant grand final victory in a season where he scored eight tries. Unfortunately for Graham, this would be the last time he achieved premiership success despite playing six further grand finals.

In 2008, Graham won the Man of Steel award, the Super League equivalent of the Dally M, before going on to finish his Super League career with 225 matches next to his name.

In 2012, Graham moved to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and had no trouble adjusting to the NRL. Jammer helped the Bulldogs reach the grand final in his first year in Australia, quickly becoming a fan favourite for his passionate on field displays.

After notching 135 appearances for the Bulldogs, Graham signed with the Dragons for the 2018 season, playing a further 40 first grade matches and cumulating in his incredible 400th match this Saturday.

Aitken 100th

All eyes will be on Graham when he runs out for his 400th on Saturday, but Dragons centre Euan Aitken also notches a career milestone playing in his 100th NRL game. Watch Euan talk about playing his 100th alongside Graham.

Aitken debuted for the Dragons in 2015 and has been a regular in the top squad ever since. Growing up on the far south coast playing for the Merimbula-Pambula Bulldogs, Aitken is a graduate of the Dragons' National Youth Competition team and has played his entire career under the Red V.

Ford's four leads to debut

Fresh off scoring four tries in a brilliant performance in the Canterbury Cup last week, Jackson Ford will make his NRL debut this Saturday.

Ford has been one of the standouts of the Dragons' Canterbury Cup side this year, making nine Team of the Weeks and currently is tied as top try scorer for the entire competition with 13 tries.

A Gerringong Lions junior and Illawarra local, Ford was the Dragons' Under-20s Player of the Year in 2017 in what was his first season in the competition.

Making his feat even more impressive was the fact he missed the first six games of the year. Keep a keen eye on Ford as he gets his first taste of the NRL.

96 – 24

The Dragons need to score just four points to tally a century against the Titans in three games.

The Dragons thrashed the Titans 42-16 in Round 23 of the 2017 season, before outdoing that score on their next encounter winning 54-8 in Toowoomba last year. Keep in mind the Dragons' lofty point scoring record against the Gold Coast.



Norman honoured to be nominated for Ken Stephen Medal

Plenty to play for

The Dragons aren’t short of motivation for Saturday's clash against the Titans, with 501 games of milestones to celebrate.

Graham, Aitken, and Ford all will be determined to ensure the Dragons sing the team song at the end of the 80, and will be even more fired up to do it in front of a home crowd at Kogarah.

Grab your tickets so you don’t miss the match here.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/08/08/five-things-round-21-v-gold-coast/
 
G

getsmarty

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DRAGONS


Throwback Thursday: James Graham
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Thu 8 Aug 2019, 03:58 PM

Inspirational Dragons forward James Graham plays his 400th first grade game this weekend in a career spanning an incredible 16 years. His last two seasons have been at the Dragons and we’ve taken a look at some memorable moments of Jammer in the Red V.

Jammer's single meat pie

When you think of James Graham, the first words that come to mind are passionate, tough and committed. You'll notice prolific try scorer is not one of them.

Throughout his 400-game career, Graham has crossed the white stripe for a grand total of 64 times. However, in his 40 games wearing the Red V, the 33-year-old has scored just the one.

Round 15, 2018 against the Manly Sea Eagles was the magic moment where Jammer got his name on the scorecard. With his parents in the stands watching on, Graham forced his way past the Manly defence to slam the ball down.

Dragons debut

After playing six seasons at the Bulldogs and nine for St Helens in the Super League, James Graham joined the Dragons ahead of the 2018 season.

Graham’s first experience wearing the Red V Jersey was at the Dragons' spiritual home in Kogarah. The Dragons came up against a Brisbane Broncos side looking to put a dampener on former teammate and fellow St George Illawarra recruit Ben Hunt in his first game for the Dragons.

BUY TICKETS TO THE DRAGONS' CLASH AGAINST THE TITANS HERE

Graham led from the front by winning the battle of the forwards with 120 metres including 44 post-contact metres and 26 tackles in just 51 minutes on the field. The Dragons went on to win 34-12 and Graham wouldn't taste defeat as a Dragons until six weeks later. Relive the action of Jammer's debut here.

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/08/08/throwback-thursday-james-graham/
 
G

getsmarty

Immortal
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34,350
"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/
 
BLM01

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,984
Cmon all you supporters get down and support your club and the mighty Dragons at Kogarah
After that Drinks with the team as they march into the finals at the Leagues Club
Game kicks off at 12.45pm V Bears
And if you dare..you can watch the lower grade game V Titans on the TV in the sportsman lounge .if they still have one.
Oops..sorry I thought this was the CC thread.
 
BLM01

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,984
getsmarty said:
"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/
Click to expand...
OK...nice trip down memory lane for Millward and a nostalgic piece for him on a rugby league character and legend but not a Drgaons legend
But whilst they had The St George Illawarra Director and Token Appointment of Pathways & List Management on centre stage could they not of asked him for any...news on the recruitment or pathways....or is...no recuitment news good news at our club ATM...cause the next bit of news we might not like.
 
G

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
34,350
BLM01 said:
OK...nice trip down memory lane for Millward and a nostalgic piece for him on a rugby league character and legend but not a Drgaons legend
But whilst they had The St George Illawarra Director and Token Appointment of Pathways & List Management on centre stage could they not of asked him for any...news on the recruitment or pathways.
Click to expand...

Come on mate....He's trying to fill the leaking holes in the wallsl and @ the same time you want recruitment updates.......LOL


P.S The only recruitment update I want to hear is that the Board have changed their mind and McGregor is terminated.
 
BLM01

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,984
getsmarty said:
Come on mate....He's trying to fill the leaking holes in the wallsl and @ the same time you want recruitment updates.......LOL
Click to expand...
Read on...I thought it best not get an update cause the next bit of news might not be necessarily good news.
 
BLM01

BLM01

First Grade
Messages
9,984
Its funny since round 6 the Titans have also won just 2 games only against Broncs & Manly.
Bit of level pegging there. This will be a great tustle.
 
Dennis Papaioannou

Dennis Papaioannou

Bench
Messages
2,866
BLM01 said:
Its funny since round 6 the Titans have also won just 2 games only against Broncs & Manly.
Bit of level pegging there. This will be a great tustle.
Click to expand...
Graham's 400th, Aitkin's 100, Latimore's 52nd - these are perfectly timed to deflect attention away from McGregor and the disaster he has overseen in 2019.
We should beat the poor old Titans at home and beat them comfortably.
If we do, watch the fanfare and back slapping.
If we don't beat them (unlikely but stranger things have happened) McGregor should be finally gone.
 
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