James Graham signs with Dogs till 2018

[Tegga]

going off zero tackle

http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/rugby-league/players/highest-paid-players/

Zero tackle have no clue, they say as much in the first paragraph

 

[Nano]

Forgot to add big congrats to our admin team and Castle plus the coaching staff and Des, hopefully more good news to come!

 

[finchie]

Someone post the article coz i cant freakin open the telecrap!!!

 

[Indiandog]

The thing which is makin me worried is that we are only into round 2 of 2014 and we are already looking at 2015. as if every one has lost hope for this year already.

 

[Old Bulldog]

If we have to now shed a big, useless, uncommitted forward to fit him in that's fine. I think you know who I mean.

 

[Stoofy]

Someone post the article coz i cant freakin open the telecrap!!!

Bulldogs forward James Graham not in the doghouse for staying in kennel
DAVID RICCIO THE DAILY TELEGRAPH MARCH 16, 2014 12:00AM

Canterbury Bulldogs prop and English International James Graham at Belmore Oval.Canterbury Bulldogs prop and English International James Graham at Belmore Oval. Source: News Corp Australia <>
Daley Mail: Canterbury Bulldogs v Cronul...Canterbury Bulldogs prop and English Int...
BEFORE James Graham could ink a new $2.8m four-year deal with Canterbury, he had to first check with his Mum back in England.

The phone call took no more than 30 seconds.

“I called my parents and asked ‘Is there anything I need to come home for? No, well by the way I’m staying for another four years,’’ Graham said.

That was it?

“Yeah, that was basically it,’’ Graham nodded.

No sleepless nights? No tossing and turning over half-a-million dollar offers from almost half the NRL, led by South Sydney?

TAKE PART IN OUR SUPERCOACH CHALLENGE!
BULLDOGS NOT THINKING OF NEW RECRUIT ANDREW FIFITA JUST YET 2:10
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http://mashery.news.com.au/image/v1...pg&width=650&api_key=kq7wnrk4eun47vz9c5xuj3mc
Bulldogs players have welcomed the news that Andrew Fifita will be joining their ranks next season but dont want to think about him right now as they prepare to take on Cronulla this week.
No anxiety over the impending arrival of fellow prop Andrew Fifita?

“There was no need to stress,’’ Graham said of the new deal, which will keep him at Belmore until 2018.

“As far as decisions go, my intentions were always to stay. Luckily, I’ve managed to sort things out with the club.’’

“It’s always nice to have your future sorted and at a club like this, its always makes it that little bit special.’’

Graham pointed to a recent meeting with Canterbury chief executive Raelene Castle, coach Des Hasler and club chairman Ray Dib where he was reminded of why he first signed with the Bulldogs from English Super League club St Helens, in 2012.

Canterbury Bulldogs prop and English International James Graham at Belmore Oval.
Canterbury Bulldogs prop and English International James Graham at Belmore Oval. Source: News Corp Australia
That despite attractive offers from the likes of South Sydney and St George Illawarra, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

“Not that they needed too, but they re-sold the club to me like when I first came out,’’ Graham said.

“The vision of Des, Ray and Raelene, they reinforced that message of where they see the club going and that was something which was really important to me as well.

“Off the field, I know the staff upstairs do a great job but on the football side of things, on the field, you don’t want to talk up things too much but with the coaching staff in place and the roster are trying to build, we’re optimistic what we can do as a group.

James Graham catches the ball at training.
James Graham catches the ball at training. Source: Getty Images
“But I’d probably get in trouble with the gaffer (Hasler) if I talked us up too much.’’

Since arriving at the Bulldogs, Graham has quickly earned a reputation as one of the NRL’s premier forwards.

His size and power ensures that with every carry he creates a dent in the defensive line of his rivals. Complimenting his fearless style of play is an offload which is highlighted on every opposition tip sheet.

Such is Graham’s ability to sway a result, a recent study by Fox Sports Stats revealed the 28-year-old as the most influential player at the Bulldogs.

However, his transition from the UK to Australia hasn’t been easy.

Physically he has worked hard to condition his 106kg-plus frame. A biting incident with Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater in the 2012 grand final led to Graham being suspended for 12 matches.

Gold Coast Titans vs Canterbury Bulldogs from Skilled Park, Robina - Dogs James Graham
Gold Coast Titans vs Canterbury Bulldogs from Skilled Park, Robina - Dogs James Graham Source: News Limited
It was the low point of his career, which when it came to putting pen to paper, he remembered who had supported him.

“They gave me a chance, they’ve stood by me through everything so certainly there was that to be taken into consideration,’’ Graham said.

Graham’s signature comes just four days after the Bulldogs snared the signature of Fifita. It will bring together two of the NRL most destructive forwards.

Graham said his own mind was made up to stick with Canterbury was made prior to Fifita agreeing to terms, but added the Cronulla prop’s signing was an indication of how serious the club is at winning a premiership.

Canterbury Bulldogs prop and English International James Graham at Belmore Oval.
Canterbury Bulldogs prop and English International James Graham at Belmore Oval. Source: News Limited
‘’I didn’t know until it was actually announced and by that time it was, I had already made my decision,’’ Graham said.

“But for me you look at a player like Andrew Fifita, he’s been up there with the top echelon of players for the past two seasons and for the club to grab a signature like that shows the direction that they’re going.

“Even if they missed out to show that they’re chasing that calibre of player, I think can only be a good thing.

“As far as playing with Andrew next year is concerned, we’ve still got 24 rounds to go. That will be a question for a later down the track.’’

More immediate goals away Graham, beginning with the Dogs first win of the season against the Sharks on Monday night at ANZ Stadium.

“Monday night is nothing about me, or re-signing or any other side stories going on, we’re just looking to get that two points as a group of blokes,’’ Graham said.

 

[finchie]

Ok so now we have 2 tolmans but one can actually pass. In all honesty i love aidan to bits but his game nowadays has been updated by jammer graham. We dont nees them both especially with fifita able to play big mins and guys like klemm and perret jnr coming thru. Keep kas and if need be trade browne and tolman.

 

[Indiandog]

This bloke is from the UK and is not homesick. I'm so happy he is staying.

What is wrong with the boneheads that come from Queensland? Its only a couple hour flight.

You are not comparing sunny qld with always wet uk, are u ?

 

[finchie]

Your a f ing legend stoofy!!!

 

[CrittaMagic69]

fifita 850k
graham 700k
williams 650k
pritchard 550k
klemmer 330k
inu 225k
moses 200k

don't know what the rest is on

Thats 3.5mil for 7 players out of 25, salary cap is 5.5mil, u can see why people keep mentioning it

The reported fiqures include 3rd party deals, spnsors etc. Even if they say we signed fifita for 800k i can promise you that almost half of it would be in 3rd party deals, sponsor etc.

 

[Stoofy]

Your a f ing legend stoofy!!!

No problem!

 

[CrittaMagic69]

Glad he is staying. Looks like it is between kas and tolman to move on.

 

[Raysie]

Could Fitita play Lock next year? That allows us to keep Kasiano and Tolman (If cap space is available).

Fifita plays more like a Lock forward anyway.

I think Eastwood is the player most likely to be forced out.

 

[dogsballs]

F***ing Stoked!!!

 

[Stoofy]

You are not comparing sunny qld with always wet uk, are u ?

If your earning a few hundred grand a year why would you get homesick?

You could easily fly up & down as you feel. You could also fly your family / mates up & down whenever you like.

 

[finchie]

Imagine the frequent flyer points!

 

[Indiandog]

If your earning a few hundred grand a year why would you get homesick?

You could easily fly up & down as you feel. You could also fly your family / mates up & down whenever you like.

Agree but poms rarely get homesick when they come to australia, most of them overstay their visas...lol

 

[Interestingg]

Could Fitita play Lock next year? That allows us to keep Kasiano and Tolman (If cap space is available).

Fifita plays more like a Lock forward anyway.

I think Eastwood is the player most likely to be forced out.

Intriguing scenario isn't it. Personally I'd leave dale at lock which means kas and klemmer will be on the bench with fifita and graham starting. So it is looking like Eastwood will have to miss out

 

[Nano]

Intriguing scenario isn't it. Personally I'd leave dale at lock which means kas and klemmer will be on the bench with fifita and graham starting. So it is looking like Eastwood will have to miss out

Eastwood had value though, he can play anywhere in the front row and 5/8 to a degree. He is a specialist forward utility like Greg Bird so I'd keep him.

 

[Interestingg]

Eastwood had value though, he can play anywhere in the front row and 5/8 to a degree. He is a specialist forward utility like Greg Bird so I'd keep him.

True but I wouldn't have him there for his utility value. We've got 4 props with 2 that can play long minutes. Chuck in a second rower like burr on the bench who is versatile which leaves us with the opportunity to have someone like mbye in the number 17 who covers the whole back line.