NRL 2024: James Graham spends $10k on tickets to Bulldogs vs Manly elimination final for Canterbury fans | Sport Confidential
Former Bulldogs captain James Graham has dipped into his own pocket, outlaying a whopping $10,000 to give his former team a leg up in their elimination final against Manly. See the full SPORT CONFIDENTIAL
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Former Bulldogs captain James Graham has dipped into his own pocket, buying $10,000 worth of tickets to share with the club’s fans in a bid to ensure they drown out Sea Eagles supporters at Accor Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
In a remarkable act of generosity and commitment to the Bulldogs’ cause, Graham revealed on his podcast – The Bye Round – that he had shelled out the money after making a pledge on Triple M on Sunday afternoon.
“I bought $10,000 worth of tickets for the Dogs fans,” Graham said.
“So I think we have 230 tickets. This is out of my own pocket. I was like right, I am going to do it. The wave of support of Dogs fans is so important. It is going to be the difference I think.
“I read some things in yesterday’s paper where Manly have said no, they will travel. Well, the Dogs fans will drown them out with the noise.”
Dogs fans will have the chance to win tickets by sending an email to The Bye Round or a DM to their Instagram account.
The one caveat is that you need to provide evidence that you are indeed a Bulldogs fan and explain how you started supporting the club.
Graham and producer Charlie White will then select the winners. A crowd of more than 50,000 has been tipped to attend Accor Stadium on Sunday afternoon as the ‘Dogs make their return to the finals after a long absence.
“We need to be very loud and get us home,” Graham said.
RABBITOHS V NRL: LATRELL MITCHELL BAN SAGA FAR FROM OVER
The Latrell Mitchell ban saga is not over yet after South Sydney and the players union requested a meeting with NRL boss Andrew Abdo to get more clarity on the star full-back’s suspension, having labelling the process as “confusing”.
Rabbitohs boss Blake Solly confirmed Souths were awaiting confirmation from the NRL about when a meeting would take place after the club was left flabbergasted by the decision to rule Mitchell unable to serve his one game ban in the final round of the season.
The Rabbitohs have also been liaising with the RLPA about Mitchell’s situation. It is understood the union also wants more clarity on this issue given it was their brief that any ban should be served immediately.
Sport Confidential understands that the NRL are prepared to meet, but would prefer to wait until the finals series is over. As a result, any meeting is expected to take place in the off-season.
“This has been an unprecedented and confusing process,” Solly said.
“The NRL hasn’t proved a response to a number of requests for clarification on the operation of the NRL rules and CBA.
“However, Andrew has committed to meet with the club and the RLPA urgently and we look forward to that meeting taking place.”
The Rabbitohs have also taken legal advice on whether the NRL had the power to force Mitchell to undergo a fitness test and serve a ban next year.
Souths had provided the opinion of three doctors – including their club doctor and Mitchell’s operating surgeon – who all said he would be right to play the Roosters in Round 27.
However, the NRL wanted Mitchell to undergo a fitness test and they wanted access to his training loads to determine if he would be able to play an NRL game.
The NRL said the Rabbitohs had not provided details in time to feature in last Friday’s match, prompting them to order the ban be served next season.
The RLPA is understood to be concerned that NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo used his discretion in the case and want some clarity around how the rules will apply in the future.
MANLY POACH EELS ASSISTANT
Brad Arthur’s long-term right-hand man Steve Murphy will join Manly next season as Anthony Seibold’s assistant coach.
Murphy will join the Sea Eagles’ coaching team next year after leaving the Eels. Murphy joined the Eels in 2014 and was Arthur’s long-term assistant coach until Arthur was sacked by the Eels earlier this year. At Parramatta he also worked alongside Peter Gentle who now heads up Manly’s recruitment.
Before that, Murphy was an assistant coach at the Titans.
CAN VAL CREATE GOAL KICKING HISTORY?
Look we’re not in the business of mocking players so hopefully North Queensland’s Valentine Holmes can continue his impressive goalkicking streak.
Holmes has nailed 25 consecutive attempts at goal, having not missed a kick since round 22. He has kicked 22 in just his past three games as the Cowboys have enjoyed a points frenzy in recent weeks.
“I’m really just enjoying it,” Holmes said. “I think of it like my golf-swing the way I approach it. I like my putting and if you ask some of the boys I’m pretty good at putting. I set it up like that. I do a lot of practice about 20-25 minutes after every training session.
“It does pay off.”
Hazem El Masri holds the record in the NRL era with 35 consecutive goals in 2003 while Nathan Cleary (32), James Maloney (31) and Darryl Halligan (31) are next best.
Matt Burton (seven), Stephen Crichton (six), Nicho Hynes (six) are the only other goal-kickers set to line-up this weekend who have kicked more than five in a row.
FLASHBACK
Jason Taylor’s time as South Sydney’s coach on this day 15 years ago was on tenterhooks after CCTV footage showed his Mad Monday antics. Taylor was involved in an incident with South Sydney forward David Fa’alogo which led to Fa’alogo punching Taylor. Footage showed the horseplay which eventually led to Taylor’s sacking.
HOW PANTHERS WILL HONOR DEPARTING STARS
Penrith are honouring departing stars Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris by electing to wear the club’s Pasifika jersey during their quest for a fourth straight title.
The club decided to wear their jersey as a tribute to Luai and Fisher-Harris before they join rival clubs next season. The Pasifika jersey – which ex-Panthers Frank Puletua and Joe Galuvao had a hand in crafting – was launched earlier this year as the club’s round three multicultural round jersey and its season long alternative jersey.
They will now wear it this finals series starting on Friday night against the Roosters.
“It means a lot,” Luai said. “By Ivan (Cleary) doing that, it does add to the emotion of it all. Culture means a lot to me and Fish.
“It’s a pretty special addition and really thoughtful from coach. By him doing that, he is showing how much his players mean to him and we are so grateful.”
The Panthers have done something similar during their recent finals success. Last year they wore a 2023 throwback while in 2022 it was a tribute to their 1991 team.
In 2021 they wore their home jersey.
BULLDOGS FANS BEST IN THE LEAGUE?
Connor Tracey is only in his first season at the Bulldogs but he has already labelled the Canterbury faithful as the best in the competition. Tracey joined the Bulldogs from Cronulla this year having made his debut for South Sydney.
“What makes the Bulldogs special is the fans, best fans in the comp,” Tracey said. “We have been playing at Accor lately, I think we have been averaging 35,000 fans lately, it’s pretty unheard of and it’s pretty amazing to sort of play in front of those crowds.”
HOW BULLDOGS BOSS HELPED INSPIRE SEA EAGLES WIN
Matt Lodge was among Manly’s best when they played the Bulldogs a fortnight ago and as they prepare to meet again in the finals on Sunday, Sport Con can now reveal the part that Bulldogs chair Adam Driussi played in inspiring that devastating display.
Driussi, who has been impressive at the helm of the Bulldogs since taking over earlier this year, lit a fuse under Lodge when he publicly distanced his club from the Sea Eagles enforcer, taking to social media last month to insist his side wasn’t interested in signing him
It is understood Lodge stored that tweet away and then ran rampant against the Bulldogs as Manly embarrassed the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium in the penultimate round of the premiership.
They will now meet in the rematch at Accor Stadium on Sunday afternoon with their finals survival at stake and Lodge will again have a point to prove.
Not only is Driussi’s tweet burned into his brain, but Lodge is playing for his future as he looks to secure a new contract for next season.
Only a handful of players in the finals series are off contract at the end of the year and Lodge leads the way, his ability to showcase his talents hampered by injury.
I wouldn’t usually comment on speculation regarding potential player signings but given some of the commentary online I will make an exception today.
— Adam Driussi (@AdamDriussi) August 17, 2024
The Bulldogs are not in any discussions to sign Matt Lodge nor will be.
“You know it’s kind of like selling a house in a financial crisis,” Lodge said.
“Like, you know, I haven’t played, I haven’t been on the field. It’s kind of like out of sight, out of mind.
“But like I said, anyone close to me I’ve been working hard behind the scenes, and got myself in good nick. I know how to play and what I do.”
Lodge was only on a short-term deal at Manly and it appears he is unlikely to stay despite making a strong return to the NRL. His chequered past means he is off limits where some sides are concerned, but Lodge is confident he will find a home as long as he keeps playing well.
“I guess that’s kind of been the scenario for the last three, four years – bouncing around on those one year deals,” he said.
“It’s not ideal but I look back on where I come from, I’m just grateful. Still plenty more left in the tank below.
“I’m probably not the most popular figure but I guess when I do my thing, there’s no-one I am kind of worried about going up against.
“It just doesn’t always work out how you wanted it to. I thought I was going to play my whole career at the Broncos and I have been at four joints since then.
“So I’m just happy to be back playing footy and let the footy do the talking, Like my dad always tells me, play well and it always works out like.”
Lodge recently celebrated the birth of his fourth child – all boys – with partner Jess. His oldest have started playing rugby league and idolise Reece Walsh.
“They have got to the age where they bring home footy cards of Walshy and people like that,” Lodge said.
“Walshy did me a favour and gave them a facetime last week before the game (recently). The kids were stoked.”
MATTY POISED FOR SHOCK COMMENTARY RETURN
Matty Johns is one of the rugby league’s sharpest minds and he is poised to make a comeback to calling games this weekend as the Fox League star joins the commentary box on Saturday afternoon for Melbourne’s game against the Sharks.
Parramatta superstar Mitchell Moses is also set to join the Fox League crew for Friday night’s finals opener between Penrith and the Sydney Roosters.
Johns will join Andrew Voss and Steve Roach to call the Storm game.
“Johnsy loves the idea of this game on Saturday night,” Fox Sports executive director Steve Crawley said.
“He is really into it. When he calls the game he is so insightful. I love it when he calls for us. He adds another dimension to what we do.”
Crawley regards Moses and Gold Coast playmaker Kieran Foran as two of the brightest talents among the current playing ranks.
“For a long time we have rated Mitchell Moses and Kieran Foran as two of the best young talents coming through the playing ranks,” Crawley said.
RAIDERS EYE ANOTHER ENGLISHMAN
Warrington hooker Danny Walker has emerged as a target for Canberra as the Raiders look to strike a deal that will bring the England star to the nation’s capital next season.
Walker, who has appeared in three Tests for England, has two years remaining on his deal with the Wolves but is understood to be keen on making the switch to Canberra.
Sport Con understands that the Raiders have offered a significant transfer fee for the 25-year-old but have so far been rebuffed.
Warrington officials are understood to be divided over Walker’s future, particularly given that the Raiders have come to the party with a sizeable slab of money to make the move more palatable to club officials.
It is understood Walker is keen to test himself in the NRL and held talks with Warrington officials to express his desire to move to Canberra.
He left those talks confident a deal could be struck.
SHARKS STAR EMERGES AS SHOCK FREE AGENT
Cronulla prop Oregon Kaufusi has emerged as a shock free agent as the Sharks fight to keep the in-form front rower along with 10 other players who are ready to hit the open market on November 1.
Kaufusi has an option in his deal for next season that he is yet to take up. Sport Con was told his preference was to stay at the Sharks but it is believed there has been interest from elsewhere given his form this year for the high-flying Sharks.
Cronulla are also facing a remarkable salary cap situation as they are down the prospect of $5 million worth of talent hitting the market on November 1, headlined by the likes of Braydon Trindall, Briton Nikola, Cam McInnes, Ronaldo Mulitalo and Teig Wilton.
Tim Hazleton is also up for grabs from November 1, leaving the Sharks with a matter of weeks to agree extensions with some of their biggest names or face a bidding war for their services from November.
Kaufusi will no doubt attract plenty of attention given his season for the Sharks. He has made 23 appearances, having started the entire season in the front row and proved a reliable and dependable force for coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
Sport Con understands that his preference is to stay but the Sharks have some big decisions to make in coming weeks as they prepare for the arrival of Addin Fonua-Blake on a mega-deal next season.
Originally published as NRL 2024: James Graham spends $10k on tickets to Bulldogs vs Manly elimination final for Canterbury fans | Sport Confidential
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