Canterbury captain James Graham admits his club’s pursuit of Wests Tigers skipper Aaron Woods may push him out of Belmore.
The 31-year-old said he accepted the Bulldogs would be interested in the NRL’s best players and would target Woods while he was at the peak of his powers.
“Why wouldn’t the club go after him?” Graham told Fox Sports’ NRL 360 in his weekly appearance on the program alongside Woods.
“That might mean that I might have to move on, whether that means this year or the year after, I’m not dumb enough or naive to think that might not happen.”
But despite accepting his future at the Bulldogs is clouded, Graham says he hasn’t spoken to coach Des Hasler or club boss Raelene Castle.
“I’m not a snowflake. I’m not going to melt under a little bit of pressure or a little bit of speculation,” Graham said.
“I don’t need reassurance from the gaffer or Raelene about where my future lies.”
Speculation is rife about Woods and fellow off-contract Tigers fullback James Tedesco with Canterbury one of a host of clubs in the running to sign the duo.
Woods said the Tigers four-straight losses before their upset win over North Queensland last week made him delay his decision, which he wants to make with the “right mindset”.
“I want to get it done in the next couple of weeks,” Woods said.
“I want to get it sorted.
“I don’t want to make an irrational decision when I’m angry. I want to put a lot of thinking through it.”
The spotlight is on Woods and Tedesco after five-eighth Mitchell Moses signed with Parramatta, with Luke Brooks the only member of the club’s “big four” to re-sign with the Tigers.
The Tigers denied Moses’s request for an immediate release to join the Eels, with Woods asking his teammate to remain at the club in 2017.
“I really wanted Mitchell to commit for the rest of the year,” Woods said.
“But I thought he handled himself really well on the weekend.”
But Woods conceded Moses could yet make a mid-season move to Parramatta.
“He could be here for the rest of the year or he could be here for a week,” Woods said.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
There were rumours of Graham heading Manly this year, having been spotted at Brookvale a couple of times. I imagine they'll sit down with him again. Plenty of dollars in the kitty to bolster the forward pack for next year. Mr Graham would be a very welcome addition.
Birdy
Guest
And further going against popular opinion, I predict Chriss Mcqueen will prove a massive signing for next year.
Birdy
Guest
Hi TB. Does intensity and intimidation do it for you? Woods would definately intimidate an opposing coach with his stats but not so much the opposing players with his intensity. Compare his agression to Graham. Great skills but never a hit like Grahams on Burgess in '14 GF. Woods would be more effective with a partner in crime like Graham. AT Wests his doing it all through necessity.Thats a fault of their salary cap and not being able to keep better players to back him up. As I said before Blocker would sign him before Tedesco, thats an expert totally disagreeing with me. I prefer the big hit ups and tackles to the meters.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hey Birdy I agree with your assessment of Graham v Woods, but I don't agree about the 'easy' hit ups for Woods. Who is the Tigers forward doing the hard work if Woods is just taking the easy ones off the back of their work? It's the popular theory at the moment but I just don't see that when I watch the Tigers. Woods is taking more runs and making more metres than anyone. Woods has made 104 runs for 971 metres. Next best forward is Sue with 64 for 606. The easy hit up theory isn't supported by the numbers or what I see on the field.
Don
Roar Rookie
And if he could be locked in at a reasonable cost for 4 years while the values of top tier players escalates, then you've secured some good value and one less spot to worry about.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I'd love to have an answer to that one. I'll have a crack...he's been very consistent over his career up to this point. He doesn't play rep footy so he doesn't miss games. You'd assume his game wouldn't be impacted too much by going into his early 30s. It was probably seen as an opportunity to lock him down in the face of a rising salary cap with limited downside due to loss of form. He hasn't started this season well but he's getting some form back over the last couple of weeks. Not what I would have done but I assume that's the logic.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
As the Canterbury guru, can you explain why Tolman was re-signed for that long? He's 28, and average to good. Def not worth a 4yr contract IMO
Sean
Guest
Woods Quote ' Mitch might be staying the year or he might go. Who knows'.. Your the friggin Captain! Start being a leader and actually get off your ass and lead! He should get up and say mitch can leave now. I only want committed wests tigers players here... But no.. Havnt heard him say bugger all since hes been captain. Just goes on about his contract negotiations.. Woods i hope you go mate, you couldnt lead an irish drunk to a bar on st pattys day!!!
Birdy
Guest
P.S. In defence Woods wraps up players in defence like an octopus, effective and stops their progress. In defence Graham hits like a sledge hammer.Extreme effect. In the 70th minute attackers are avoiding Graham.
souvalis
Guest
Dogs couldn't be that stupid ? Where's Frawley playing this week ?
Birdy
Guest
Hi TB The article clearly asks the question, Woods or Graham. If i had to choose i would take Graham every day. If you like i would change my description of Woods from lazy to easy.Woods is more effective with the second hit up. Graham is more effective and more inspirational taking the first. Woods falls into defenders, Graham smashers into defenders.Graham turns up in defence when you wouldn't expect a forward to. As i said ,Blocker would sign Woods before Tedesco. He provides the go forward. My opinion is Woods is more opportunastic and would be more effective with a Graham along side him. Graham does more and inspires more.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree with what you've written Birdy, except I don't think that's true of Woods. He's taking the tough hit ups for the Tigers. He's leading that pack week in and week out. Has done for years. If you don't agree, who is the Tigers forward that's bashing out those tough five metre hit ups to allow Woods his soft 10 metre runs? It doesn't happen. Have a look at the difference in the Tigers go forward when he's off the field. It's night and day. I'm not particularly a fan of Woods and I would trade Graham for Woods any day of the week, but some of the commentary about his performance is bordering on the ridiculous.
Succhi
Guest
The dogs couldn't be that stupid - this must be a beat up. Graham gives 100% every game and from what I hear, is great with fans and kids. Can't see them moving him on - I think he is playing with the media a bit!
Birdy
Guest
The best game i saw woods play was against souths this year. Stats could prove me wrong but its my opinion. To me woods is a lazy forward, to blocker roach he is a meter eater. Stats prove blocker right. If I'm playing in a game my inspiration, motivation comes from a forward that bashes and barges 5m leaving 2 defenders in his wake allowjng the next carrier an easy 10m carry and offload. Give me the mongrel who can smash out the hard 5m, give me Graham.
Chris n
Guest
Graham is exactly what Newcastle need a real leader to lead the young forward pack
Chook
Guest
No but he is a solid forward and he is young...ish
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Why would any club in their right mind, want to move Graham out.This guy plays his backside off ,game after game.Makes yardage every time he has the pill, sets the example for the rest of the pack. Moving him is dumb, plain dumb. He would be welcome at the Sharks should Gallen retire. Sometimes the head honchos at clubs ,now it appears the Dogs are set in a panic mode. Look at the Dragons,just about same team content, now playing an open style which is bearing good results.Perhaps they could take a leaf out of their book.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I know where you're coming from and it's a good move if Graham only plays one more season or has a rapid decline. But if Graham plays out another 3-4 strong years, the Dogs are behind or at best level on the deal from a performance perspective for those 3-4 years and then have a 30 year old Woods wanting a new deal.
KenW
Guest
On face value Dogs would be nuts to dump Graham for Woods. Club administrators though would just be looking at the reality that Graham is only likely to have a couple of seasons left after this. They've got to weigh up whether it's better to bid for the rep quality replacement while he's on the market even if it means letting the older champ go a season early.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
James Graham gives his all every time he takes the field,he's inspirational...if we let him go for Woods,then I'll really be shirty.Surely this crap has to be a distraction.