James Graham had a shocker against the Bulldogs in one of his worst performances in the NRL

[Spoonman84]

ONLY two players ran for fewer metres than James Graham against the Bulldogs in a sure sign he is not pulling his weight for the shockingly out-of-form Dragons.
Graham finished with 27 run metres from only three runs, with only Ben Hunt (5m) and Euan Aitken (8m) -- who tore his hamstring -- putting less production on the stats sheet.

Remarkably the Bulldogs’ front-rowers averaged 238 metres against the Dragons, which is 880 percent more production than Graham.

However the Dragons need more from Graham in the absence of Paul Vaughan, who is out for the season and the stats don’t lie.

Graham is struggling to capture his form from the start of the season and it is having a worrying effect on Paul Mcgregor’s front row rotation.

Graham’s former teammates Aidan Tolman ran for 200 metres, while David Klemmer ran for a whopping 276 metres.

Graham’s minutes were not the issue either; he finished with 49 minutes, which is fairly standard for a front-rower.

Graham is clearly struggling like the rest of the Dragons’ forwards, who are totally lacking in energy and enthusiasm.

Fox League expert Braith Anasta believes it has a lot to do with the fact McGregor didn’t rest his players during Origin.

“The Dragons’ forwards are really fading and I think McGregor has a lot to answer for, with him not resting his players during the Origin series,” Anasta told NRL 360.

“Their go forward is non-existent, there is no real impact or quick play-the-balls.”

The Dragons sit sixth on the ladder, with their last game of the regular season against the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Time will tell if Graham and the Dragons’ pack can turn things around in time to make a finals run, but things aren’t looking promising.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...l/news-story/1b4918f59a78604dd01f043cc4e98530

 

[Spoonman84]

Graham was cooked in his final years with us and it was a wise move to release him when we did.

 

[Daustin]

They had him just standing in the backline catching and passing after 2 steps like the rest of their forwards instead of trying to play through the middle. they werent prepared to roll up their sleeves and work hard and instead tried to go around us and thats why they got smashed. Graham was the only person chasing until the try line when we scored runaway tries

 

[Cook]

He does pointless effort plays chasing runaway wingers who score. It makes me laugh, maybe conserve some energy and take a hit up. I'm extremely glad he's no longer a bulldog. Tough player just makes no impact at all.

 

[BELMORE]

They had him just standing in the backline catching and passing after 2 steps like the rest of their forwards instead of trying to play through the middle. they werent prepared to roll up their sleeves and work hard and instead tried to go around us and thats why they got smashed. Graham was the only person chasing until the try line when we scored runaway tries

Wastes his energy chasing down certain tries

 

[Bad Billy]

Fox League expert Braith Anasta believes it has a lot to do with the fact McGregor didn’t rest his players during Origin.

“The Dragons’ forwards are really fading and I think McGregor has a lot to answer for, with him not resting his players during the Origin series,” Anasta told NRL 360.

Dafuq ?
Fkn Anasta, armchair expert.
Why the fuck would resting his players during origin help Graham ?
He doesn't play origin, he would've had to play more.

 

[Mr Invisible]

Anasta was clearly affected by David Fa'alogos punch to the head... bloke has perma brain loss.

 

[dhoo8450]

Anasta is a bit of a dud commentator but he clearly still has a soft spot for the dogs, which I don't mind haha.

In regards to Graham, I'm fuckin glad he's gone. Absolutely useless these days.

 

[Kelpie03]

Graham has been going down hill last year for us, and even though we're paying him plenty to play fro the dragons this year what we've saved was well worth it.

 

[GoTheDoggies]

McGregor is a poor man's Des Hasler. He stole the Desball playbook and plays a worse brand of it.

Their whole pack looks a shadow, the ultimate authority ENNIS was wrong on this retention decision. Are McGregor's methods to intense because the fade outs are a constant theme with his coaching.

 

[Baby Blues]

Graham should have retired and been our forwards coach. It’s sad to see him fading out for another team. Some players don’t know when to hang up the boots

 

[Novdoggie]

A reflection on their halves too. If your half is not directing the team around, then like the Dragons they look confused on the next play and who's taking it up

 

[GoTheDoggies]

Dragons went on a dud recruitment drive, Graham has been the least of their problems.

Their spine is overrated and full of dud buys. Hunt, Matt Powderpufty, McInnes. Then you have Widdop who has quality but doesn't turn up in pressure games.