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

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

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?

[sizeJames Graham the force behind Bulldogs’ charge[/size

THE AUSTRALIAN SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 12Brent Read

Senior Sports Writer
Sydney

[sizeCanterbury’s James Graham has been the glue in what had been a battling Bulldogs side[/size.


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.”

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

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.

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

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.

I understand the NYT and the Economist but Cosmo seems a bit off. Getting in touch with your inner woman?

Nice touch by Jammer to be consoling DCE before the drop goal had even landed. Seems to have matured a lot and definitely looks captain material. Thought Ennis was classy too given the disgraceful taunting he received after his mistake let Manly level the game up. He could easily have reciprocated as the kick sailed over. He has been known to wind people up the wrong way apparently but he was pure class.

Ennis did the same to Cam Smith last week, therefore karma's a bitch.

Erm, not really when he ended up winning both games!

Ennis reaps what he sows. He seems to be genuinely disliked by opponents, largely because he regularly engages in 'disgusting' attempts to rile opponents and put them off their game. I don't have a problem with a bit of gamesmanship, but you can tell that the likes of Johns, Lewis and Sterling also think he takes it way too far.