James Graham has confirmed he is to leave St George Illawarra Dragons and return to home Super League club St Helens.
The 34-year-old has spent eight years in Australia, six with Canterbury Bulldogs before switching to the Dragons in 2018.
But now he will return to his first club Saints, where he racked up more than 200 appearances between 2003 and 2011.
Graham’s days at the Dragons appeared numbered after the England forward had approached the club this week about a Super League return.
He is hoping to fill the vacancy created by Saints prop Luke Thompson who has been released to play for NRL rivals Canterbury.
The England forward told NRL 360: “There were a few scenarios going around and some cause-and-effect situations back home and I had to think things through.
“I had to work out what I wanted to and what effect it would have back home and also on the Dragons as well.
“It wasn’t an easy decision, but this gives me the opportunity to go home and finish my career where it all started and play out the next six months and then move on to the next chapter.”
Andrew
Roar Pro
I have mixed feelings about him leaving, it’s rather the hypocrisy of his statements that I’m not impressed with. With JdB still in limbo we are already one player short from our top 30 & now we’re down to 28.
TJ
Guest
Does the club really need him though? No doubt he's a good leader off the field for the Dragons but he doesn't provide much on it nowadays. Think this is a good move for both the Dragons and Graham. Graham gets his payout before retiring and the Dragons get a chance to give some more game time to some of their younger guys like Kerr, Lawrie and Ford.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Sorry but this sounds like a weak cop out to me, he knows the club needs him during this difficult time. “I'm not normally a quitter and I hope this doesn't perceive me as one," Graham said. "You've got a coach there [McGregor], who I would walk to the end of the earth for, and a playing group that I am incredibly bonded to." It turns out that he won’t walk to the end of the earth, only as far as the UK. If he rates McGregor so highly why is he bailing out on him. Not impressed.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Not like Mary to actually drop anyone...
Albo
Roar Rookie
“There were a few scenarios going around and some cause-and-effect situations back home and I had to think things through." One scenario was probably that Mary said his time was now up at Kogarah, and he best seek a final "cash in" before retirement back in the old dart ?