Quote: the artist "as far as i can see no prop has ever been close to winning this in modern times but graham has been in consistently magnificent form every week for the league leaders. in fact i think he's actually getting better every week. not seen the game this weekend yet but apparently he put in another blockbuster, running for over 200 metres and scoring a try. its just the consisency of his performances that must at least put him in the running. i know in reality the award is more likely to go to a half back or fullback but with a lack of outstanding candidates so far, will he have a chance if he keeps up his level of performance and steers clear of injury?'"
He certainly has a chance for the main award, though you are right that the award usually goes to a half or full back.
I suspect that he could well win the subordinate but still prestigious Dally M best prop forward award -- in fact based on current form he really only has Jesse Bromwich, Aaron Woods, and Matt Scott competing (Fifita is injured and not in top form anyway). They are strong competitors but I think Graham is probably ahead of them at this point of the season. One interesting barometer is Andrew Voss, who yesterday said on NZ Sky TV that if anyone in the NRL could play State of Origin -- Kiwi, Englishman or Frenchman as well as Aussie -- then James Graham would be the first prop picked for either state. Phil Gould has also said on Channel 9 that Graham has changed the way prop forwards play in the NRL. High praise.
