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JOSH JACKSON has urged James Graham to remain Canterbury captain, insisting the English international is the club’s leader.
Graham’s future as skipper is unclear after The Daily Telegraph revealed he has spoken to club officials about possibly stepping down from the role to focus on football.
Jackson believes the British bookend is the man to lead Canterbury long-term.
“James is our leader and he has got all the players behind him,” Jackson told The Sunday Telegraph.
“He leads us every week, so I can’t imagine that happening (standing down).”
James Graham has spoken to Bulldogs officials about possibly stepping down from the captaincy. Picture: Gregg Porteous
Jackson has been mentioned as a potential replacement for Graham, but he refused to stake his claim for the position. While admitting he was interested in leadership, the unassuming backrower preferred to talk up his fellow teammates.
“I still think there are a lot of guys at the Bulldogs that are great leaders and they are a lot more experienced than me,” he said.
“Aiden Tolman, we’ve still got the two Morris boys (Josh and Brett) there and Greg Eastwood as well.”
On the back of a disappointing 2016 season by the club’s lofty standards, Jackson said the players believed their hopes of making amends had been boosted by the news coach Des Hasler would remain at Belmore despite pressure from sections of the board.
“Des has got the full support of every single player from last year,” he said.
Josh Jackson has developed into a strong leader at the Canterbury Bulldogs. Picture: Gregg Porteous
“I know I was personally rapt to have him stay. He is a great coach and he is really good for the team, so I was very happy.”
Despite being named the NSW Blues’ player of the year, Jackson — who played two Tests in 2014 — was surprisingly overlooked for Australia’s Four Nations campaign.
“I would have loved to be involved this year,” he said.
“I didn’t get the nod, so I’ll rip in this pre-season and hopefully start the season well and see how it goes.
“In terms of us at the Bulldogs, it would be great to get the premiership.
“I guess that starts with a top-four spot, because that’s probably the key to being in amongst it.”
Source
Graham’s future as skipper is unclear after The Daily Telegraph revealed he has spoken to club officials about possibly stepping down from the role to focus on football.
Jackson believes the British bookend is the man to lead Canterbury long-term.
“James is our leader and he has got all the players behind him,” Jackson told The Sunday Telegraph.
“He leads us every week, so I can’t imagine that happening (standing down).”
James Graham has spoken to Bulldogs officials about possibly stepping down from the captaincy. Picture: Gregg Porteous
Jackson has been mentioned as a potential replacement for Graham, but he refused to stake his claim for the position. While admitting he was interested in leadership, the unassuming backrower preferred to talk up his fellow teammates.
“I still think there are a lot of guys at the Bulldogs that are great leaders and they are a lot more experienced than me,” he said.
“Aiden Tolman, we’ve still got the two Morris boys (Josh and Brett) there and Greg Eastwood as well.”
On the back of a disappointing 2016 season by the club’s lofty standards, Jackson said the players believed their hopes of making amends had been boosted by the news coach Des Hasler would remain at Belmore despite pressure from sections of the board.
“Des has got the full support of every single player from last year,” he said.
Josh Jackson has developed into a strong leader at the Canterbury Bulldogs. Picture: Gregg Porteous
“I know I was personally rapt to have him stay. He is a great coach and he is really good for the team, so I was very happy.”
Despite being named the NSW Blues’ player of the year, Jackson — who played two Tests in 2014 — was surprisingly overlooked for Australia’s Four Nations campaign.
“I would have loved to be involved this year,” he said.
“I didn’t get the nod, so I’ll rip in this pre-season and hopefully start the season well and see how it goes.
“In terms of us at the Bulldogs, it would be great to get the premiership.
“I guess that starts with a top-four spot, because that’s probably the key to being in amongst it.”
Source
