Bulldogs ready to take on former fearless leader and new Dragon James Graham
CANTERBURY’S stars still have plenty of fond memories of their former skipper James Graham, but there will be no quarter asked for or given
Bulldogs
Don't miss out on the headlines from Bulldogs. Followed categories will be added to My News.
FEARLESS. Tough. Honest.
They’re exactly the kind of words you want said about your side’s captain.
Except they’re the words used by Canterbury players to describe their former skipper James Graham. Not that they wouldn’t say the same about their current captain Josh Jackson.
It’s just that Graham, along with Josh Reynolds, was the heart and soul of the club and epitomised what it meant to be a Bulldog.
Their absence, especially Graham’s, is still felt by his former teammates.
The Bulldogs will come up against Graham for the first time since he was allowed to walk out the door at Belmore when they face St George Illawarra on Monday.
LISTEN! Nick Campton and Tim Williams tackle all the news from Origin I, including player rating debacles, changes that need to be made and all the details from the match itself.
Subscribe to the League Central podcast on iTunes.
Centre Will Hopoate admitted it took a while to adjust to seeing the English international in a Red V jumper but the entire team was looking forward to facing the passionate Graham.
“Bupa [Graham] has played a big role here at Canterbury and everything we did here,” he said.
“It’s exciting that we are coming up against our former fearless captain and leader.”
Forward Rhyse Martin says he’d circled the up and coming fixture in his calender and he expected Graham to play out of his skin.
“He’s a very passionate player, no matter who he’s playing for he’s going to give a 110 per cent, maybe a 120 per cent against us,” he said.
“He’ll definitely want to prove a point. He’ll try and put on a bit of a show physically.”
Martin credits his close bond with Graham helped him remain motivated and focused on cracking the NRL.
The late-bloomer was 25-year old when he made his debut this year in round nine against Brisbane.
“He’s supported me a lot while he was here,” he said.
“He’s honest and his tough. He was always there when I needed a hand.
“He always said to me ‘be a good bloke’.
“I caught up with him a couple of weeks ago with four or five of the other boys, we stay in touch and we’ll always be mates.”
The Bulldogs have only managed one win from their last six games but have but the lack of competition points hasn’t been for the lack of trying.
The Queenslander revealed coach Dean Pay has even resorted to reviewing each match with a fine tooth comb.
“Since I have played we haven’t lost by any more than six points,” Martin said.
“It’s been tough.
“Everything we do out on the field we are watching that really closely and trying to get our best performances out there.
“The coach, everything little that we do he is on to it.
“So we are trying to find ways to win.
“The pressure is on but I think we can get a few wins.”
Martin conceded their lack of creativity in attack and poor execution was hurting their chances but he is confident the tide will turn.
“We’ve spoken about that,” he said.
“We have a lapse for five or ten minutes in each half and that’s where it costs us.
“We’re trying to work on taking every opportunity that we can.
“We go through video every week and we can see were miss certain tries [opportunities].
“We need to be more skilful and crisp. But we are working hard.”