Canterbury Bulldogs skipper James Graham hails NRL as world’s most competitive sports league

CANTERBURY captain James Graham has declared the lack of dynasties in the NRL proves it’s simply the best when it comes to competitiveness.

Canterbury captain James Graham.

CANTERBURY captain James Graham has declared the lack of dynasties in the NRL proves it’s simply the best.

The 2017 NRL season is here and Cronulla kick off the season on Thursday night as the seventh premiers in as many seven years.

Starting with their clash against Brisbane at Southern Cross Group Stadium, the Sharks will try to become the first team since the Broncos in 1992-93 to win back-to-back premierships in a unified competition.

“I don’t think people in Australia sometimes realise how good the competition is, how close it is. Honestly, I can’t think of another competition in the world where the percentage of teams could genuinely win it every year,” Graham said.

“Most of the competitions in world sport aren’t like this. There’s no easy ride into the season, there’s nothing like that. There’s no easy game. This competition, it’s crazy.

Graham says the week-to-week competitivness of the NRL sets it apart.

“In the last four years, there have been eight different grand finalists. What other competition can say that?

“Even as players, maybe we take it for granted. I would hate to be a gambler on rugby league.”

As well as the fact seven clubs holding the trophy in as many years, since the NRL era began in 1998, there have been 12 clubs who’ve won the title — the Storm were twice premiers and had the trophy removed on two occasions for salary cap rorting.

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Other world sports simply cannot compete with that.

In the English Premier League over the same period, Manchest United have been champions nine times, with Chelsea winning four times, Arsenal on three occasions, Manchester City twice and Leicester City last year the only other victors.

In the NFL, the New England Patriots have formed a dynasty with five the Super Bowl triumphs this century while the New York Giants won it twice in a five-year period between 2008 and 2012.

Many other sporting leagues still have dynasties.

And in the NBA, the LA Lakers have won five times since 1998, the San Antonio Spurs on five occasions and Miami were champions three times.

The Crusaders have been Super Rugby champions seven times in the same period, with the Brumbies, Chiefs and Bulls also racking up multiple titles.

In the AFL, Hawthorn, the Swans and Brisbane Lions have each established dynasties in the 21st century.

“This competition, the way it is structured and set up is great. It is fantastic. That’s why people love it here,” Graham said. “Because it is so even.

“I only looking at it from sports I am exposed to but what a competition when you’ve had eight different grand finalists in four years.

“That has to be a boost for the game. If you look at the Premier League, nine times out of ten, you can say one of those four (Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea) is going to win it.

Graham will lead the Bulldogs against the Storm on Friday.

“That goes for most sport competitions in the world. The NBA, you can predict who is going to win it.”

In a one-off, English club Leicester City shocked the world by winning last year’s Premier League but the Foxes are now facing relegation.

“They achieved the impossible,” Graham said.

Graham will hope his Bulldogs can continue to trend by winning their first title since 2004. The Bulldogs kick off their season against Melbourne Storm on Friday night at Belmore Sports Ground.

Asked about being skipper, Graham said: “I enjoy the challenge, I enjoy trying to inspire my teammates, enjoy figuring out the right things to say and do. It has pushed me in a better direction as a person, in terms of my leadership qualities.”