Pommie warhorse James Graham celebrates 400th game with 40-28 win over Titans

James Graham emerged a winner from his 400th top grade game, but Sydney’s big chill kept fans away from the milestone match as the Dragons claimed a 40-28 win over the Gold Coast Titans.

• LATE MAIL: After all that, Souths lose Burgess

• KENT: NRL judiciary lottery hits new low

Dragons fans love reminiscing about the past, and fittingly their team delivered in Retro Round, handing James Graham a much-deserved 40-28 win in game 400.

Just 6532 fans braved Sydney’s big chill, but in another throwback to the ’70s, almost half of them were rewarded with the Red V handing out 3000 commemorative footy cards to celebrate the occasion, with 30 of them signed by Graham himself.

Live stream all the action of every round leading into the finals on KAYO SPORTS. Every game of every round live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial >

Tyson Frizell was a happy man after scoring a try. Picture: Steve Christo

MORE NRL NEWS

NEW STAR: PROOF CNK IS THE KICK RETURN KING

MATTY JOHNS: DECADE I FELL IN LOVE WITH FOOTY

“I was a bit nervous last night,” he joked after another tradesman-like performance.

“I was struggling to get to sleep so I read Jeremy Latimore’s retirement post and I was out like a light.”

The Englishman has been a marvel since he arrived in Australia seven years ago, and it was his comrades up front who delivered, with Origin forwards Paul Vaughan, Tariq Sims and Tyson Frizell all crossing in an entertaining opening stanza.

The Titans played their part with Brian Kelly, Kevin Proctor and Phillip Sami all benefiting from some razzle-dazzle footy to cross for four-pointers, but the highlights were matched by setbacks with Kelly and Tyrone Peachey both placed on report.

James Graham was triumphant in his 400th game. Picture: Matt Blyth

Fears of a dull affair were quickly forgotten as the sides traded trick shots, with Graham earning a standing ovation when he cheekily banana kicked moments after cult hero Luciano Leilua had shown off his skills with the boot as the Dragons cantered home with the wind at their backs.

The points flowed until the final whistle with Euan Aitken crossing in his 100th NRL game while Sami also touched down for his second of the afternoon. But the respective defensive efforts were a reminder of why neither side will play finals footy in 2019.

“We scored enough points to win a game in this competition but we conceded enough to lose three games,” interim coach Craig Hodges lamented.

The Titans looked sharp in attack. Picture: Matt Blyth

HALVES FIRE UP

He’s spent most of the year playing the role of the English patient, but Gareth Widdop reminded Dragons fans of what they’ll miss when he heads back to the Super League in 2020 with a virtuoso performance on Saturday.

The departing five-eighth always lifts a gear at Kogarah and Saturday was no exception as he laid on three tries, the second coming off a brilliant infield kick off his left boot in his best performance since returning from a serious shoulder injury.

Haves partner Ben Hunt was equally impressive as he crossed for a second-half try to cap off his finest performance since Origin.

“He’s been our best back for the last six years since he’s been at the club,” coach Paul McGregor said.

“He was special. He was the difference between us winning and losing.”

LISTEN! Brett Finch and Paul Kent are back in the studio with Matty Johns to dig out some fun memories for 70’s Retro Round, offer suggestions to help the southern Queensland teams get back on track, analyse Kalyn Ponga’s mega-deal and Kenty details his Tuesday feud with Ivan Cleary.

SEASON SUMMED UP

It’s been a horror campaign on the Gold Coast, with the embattled club set to claim the dreaded wooden spoon following their seventh loss on the trot. Incoming coach Justin Holbrook has plenty of work to do as he looks to reinvent a side that lacks the direction of the top teams.

Nothing has gone right for them in 2019, and that trend continued when the Steeden blew off the kicking tee not once but twice as Jai Arrow looked to get the game started.

“Trying to get them motivated for a game each week is a challenge in itself, and when you’re shuffling around positions (it doesn’t help),” Hodges said.

James Graham held the ball on the tee for Gareth Widdop. Picture: Steve Christo

RED V UNFAITHFUL

They are some off the most passionate fans in the game, but Dragons supporters were nowhere to be seen on a windy yet sparkling Sydney Saturday. It’s always hard to fork out money for tickets, food and memorabilia when your team is on a five-game slide, but given the Graham celebrations, a bigger crowd was warranted.

JAMES AND THE DEFIANT PEACH

Saturday was all about James Graham, but Titans utility Tyrone Peachey reminded people just how good he can be with ball in hand.

As the contest descended into a game of touch footy, the former Panther took control along with Bryce Cartwright as the visitors mounted a late fightback.

“I thought there were a few guys, and Tyrone was one of them, who showed some real attack and some enthusiasm with attack,” Hodges said.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 40 (T Sims 2 E Aitken T Frizell B Hunt J Saab P Vaughan tries G Widdop 6 goals) bt GOLD COAST 28 (P Sami 2 R Jacks B Kelly K Proctor tries T Peachey 4 goals) at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. Referee: Henry Perenara, Liam Kennedy. Crowd: 6,532.