Whatever Sam Burgess can do for South Sydney, British Bulldog James Graham can do for Canterbury.
Burgess was a giant in the Rabbitohs’ win against Sydney Roosters on Friday, ably assisted by Greg Inglis and Co. as his side booked a spot in the grand final.
But the performance of his England international teammate was arguably better, as he inspired, cajoled and drove his side to a gutsy 18-12 win over a desperate Penrith on Saturday.
With Bulldogs skipper Michael Ennis forced off with a foot injury late in the first half, Graham stepped into the void as chief niggler and talisman as Des Hasler’s side produced a defensive effort for the ages.
After opening the scoring with an early try, Graham spent large periods of the second period getting into the ear of Panthers playmaker Jamie Soward.
Soward did his best not to recoil from the snarling red-headed prop from Liverpool, eyes bulging and verbals flowing during one heated exchange, but the former NSW playmaker certainly wasn’t at his best.
Hasler gave Graham a well-earned spell on the sidelines three-quarters of the way through the second half and it was during that period Penrith finally scored through Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.
Graham returned to the action for the final 10 minutes and there he was immediately jamming up on the goal-line to keep out Sika Manu out from less than a metre.
Then with a minute on the clock he showed great footwork to cart the ball deep into Penrith territory and the Panthers simply didn’t have the time to fashion a try-scoring attempt.
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