Re: James Graham : Mon Sep 22, 2014 2:16 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

He’s playing superbly at the moment. I loved how he went to dummy half at the end to make sure Hodkinson got a decent pass for his golden point drop goal. He takes responsibility without fear. Definitely should be England captain.

He'd definitely be the most influential captain of the national team since Brian Carney.

Re: James Graham : Mon Sep 22, 2014 6:27 pm  

Tremendous praise for James Graham by Canterbury legend Steven Mortimer in Australia's most prestigious newspaper, The Australian: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/n ... 7067057072

Tremendous praise for James Graham by Canterbury legend Steven Mortimer in Australia's most prestigious newspaper, The Australian: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/n ... 7067057072

Re: James Graham : Mon Sep 22, 2014 6:33 pm  

well jean i find it suspicious that you have a paid account with an australian news paper, what would a french man need with one of those?

Re: James Graham : Mon Sep 22, 2014 6:34 pm  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote: Tremendous praise for James Graham by Canterbury legend Steven Mortimer in Australia's most prestigious newspaper, The Australian: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/n ... 7067057072 You have to subscribed to read the article. Care to post it?

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote: Tremendous praise for James Graham by Canterbury legend Steven Mortimer in Australia's most prestigious newspaper, The Australian: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/n ... 7067057072 You have to subscribed to read the article. Care to post it?

Re: James Graham : Mon Sep 22, 2014 6:58 pm  

James Graham the force behind Bulldogs’ charge

THE AUSTRALIAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 12:00AM

Brent Read

Senior Sports Writer
Sydney

Canterbury’s James Graham has been the glue in what had been a battling Bulldogs side.


EVERYONE saw the hard edge to Canterbury prop James Graham as he berated his teammates during his side’s thrilling win over Manly last Saturday night. Allow former Bulldogs captain Steve Mortimer to shed some light on the softer side of the England international.

“(Former Canterbury fullback) Greg Brentnall told me about this young girl who had cancer in St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney,” Mortimer said.

“I said to James, ‘Could you give me some time’. He said no worries. I took him in there. He met the young girl and did everything I asked of him.

“He is just a champion, not only on the field but off it as well. He was as happy as anything to come along with me and cheer up the girl.

“I can’t rap him enough. He is not just a footballer, he is a leader. Off the football field he is a totally different human being — he is nice and kind and soft.

“On the football field, he ain’t that. I am proud of him. I really rate him up there with the best. He is a class act. I think the world of him.”

Graham has been a model of consistency in a Bulldogs side that has blown hot-and-cold during the latter stages of the season.

Of all the Canterbury players, the Englishman has managed to maintain his lofty standards as all around him have slipped.

Once again, he shapes as a pivotal figure as the Bulldogs attempt to force their way into the grand final with a win over Penrith at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

Next season, his importance to the team could result in him being handed higher honours.

As the Bulldogs prepare for the departure of captain Michael Ennis at the end of the season, Graham — a former England captain — could barely have done more to push his claims to wear the armband.

He heads a list of candidates that also includes current co-­captain Frank Pritchard and Josh Jackson.

“It would not surprise me,” Mortimer said.

“He is definitely captaincy ­material. He would be most ­worthy.

“He is the best I have seen at gaining yards. It drives the likes of Aiden Tolman, David Klemmer, Josh Jackson.

“He definitely is a leader. His toughness reminds me of when I was a kid and I first came down to Canterbury (and I played against) guys like John O’Neill, Terry Randall and Arthur Beetson.

“He is one of them.”

Re: James Graham : Mon Sep 22, 2014 6:59 pm  

You don't always need a subscription, they're unlocked if you go through Google News: http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... gUCBZMaB1w

You don't always need a subscription, they're unlocked if you go through Google News: http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... gUCBZMaB1w

Re: James Graham : Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:05 pm  

dubairl wrote:

well jean i find it suspicious that you have a paid account with an australian news paper, what would a french man need with one of those?

Do you also find it suspicious that I have a paid account with The New York Times and The Economist?

I am a cosmopolitan. You must have run into one or two of those in Dubai, surely?

Re: James Graham : Mon Sep 22, 2014 7:11 pm  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

Do you also find it suspicious that I have a paid account with The New York Times and The Economist?

I am a cosmopolitan. You must have run into one or two of those in Dubai, surely?

The Economist not so much but the New York times very much so unless you like it for novelty purposes. You do run into them but at the same time its not as if they have subscriptions to News papers for other countries but i guess you never know what they are up to on their kindles and iPads.

Re: James Graham : Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:41 am  

He has always been a class player. The Australians didn't realise how classy he was. They do now

Re: James Graham : Tue Sep 23, 2014 2:26 am  

A better chase back was vs the Titans a few weeks ago - an absolutely lost cause but he chased hard all the way.

BTW, whoever said that GB/England have had a better pack than Australia in the last 30 years needs their head examining. We've had one or two individuals that might be better, but as a unit the Aussie pack is vastly superior, and their worst forwards are far better than our worst.

This year our front row looks potentially stronger (although Matt Scott is a fantastic prop), but England's backrow options look particularly weak by comparison to Australia.