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It didn’t attract massive headlines but perhaps our rugby league media feels it has bigger fish to fry.
News that Englishman James Graham had signed on with the Bulldogs for another four years was massive, probably bigger than many realise.
I believe Graham is one of the best English imports we have ever seen in this country and four more years can only mean starch and stability for the Canterbury club which, to me, looks to be building up to another premiership.
Partnering this ‘energiser bunny’ in the pack with the sublimely talented Andrew Fifita should excite the Bulldogs faithful for next season and way beyond.
Graham is two, maybe three players, rolled into one.
His work-rate in any game is truly phenomenal.
I love watching him hammer the ball up when nothing seems to be on. It could be the first minute or it could be the last. No trouble for this blond bombshell, if there is a metre to be eaten this guy is a glutton in footy boots.
The former St Helens star is much, much more than a front row work-horse. There are sublime ball skills in his arsenal and he is also willing to go that extra yard in defence.
I say he is pretty much the best and most valuable front rower in rugby league today. Whenever he runs onto the field you know exactly what you are going to get: total commitment.
This is Graham’s third season with Canterbury and the prospect of four more should have the Bulldogs faithful dancing in the streets of Lakemba and Belmore.
In the time I have covered this game, I have seen the likes of Great Britain’s Mal Reilly, Phil Lowe, Cliff Watson, Adrian Morley and Ellery Hanley excel in the forward pack and James Graham has the potential to be as good, or better, than any of them.
It is his insatiable work-rate that sets him apart from all comers.
He is the type of player who feels he must be involved in the game. The stats guys love him and he is a coach’s dream.
Graham is obviously loving life at Belmore and looks to be the type who deserving of a premiership ring.
“I’m really delighted to be honest, to be able to have the next four years here is great,” Graham said.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to stay. I’m really enjoying my time here, we play some good footy and it’s great that I’ll be a part of this side for an extended period.
“Home will always be home but Sydney and Canterbury are home for now and I feel very settled here.
“It’s a good bunch of blokes, a lot of characters in the rooms and it’s good to know that I will be a part of that. There is a lot more we want to achieve.”
The news comes less than a week after Australian and New South Wales star Andrew Fifita announced he will join the club for the start of next season.
Brick by brick, the Bulldogs are cleverly building a team with NRL title written all over it.
James Graham will be its cornerstone.
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