NRL legend James Graham launches ugly tirade at referee, warned of being pulled off air

Former Bulldogs star James Graham let rip at one of the NRL’s most respected referees, in an ugly on-air rant on Sunday.

Warning: This article and accompanying video contains language some readers may find offensive

Former Bulldogs enforcer James Graham launched a scathing attack on referee Ashley Klein during Canterbury’s elimination final defeat to the Panthers on Sunday.

While the game meant so much for Bulldogs fans around the country, on Triple M, Graham was struggling to remain impartial from the opening whistle.

Just over a minute into the game, Viliame Kikau charged down Nathan Cleary’s kick, and it looked almost certain that he would race away to score.

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But the bounce of the ball proved telling, as did the pressure from Dylan Edwards as the Dogs backrower knocked the ball on.

The Panthers fullback was penalised by Klein for pushing Kikau without the ball, but the ref deemed it wasn’t a professional foul - and therefore not worthy of a sin-bin.

Penrith captain Cleary thought the contact from Edwards wasn’t even worthy of a penalty and challenged the call.

Yet Graham erupted at the ref, labelling Klein a “bottless git” and an “absolute bottle job”.

Spurred on by Gorden Tallis, Graham was irate, as seen in a video uploaded by Triple M.

However, that clip cut out the original audio of Graham’s rant at Klein.

News.com.au has obtained the audio of the incident as it was heard live by listeners. It can be heard in the video player above.

James Graham was furious. Image: Triple M

Dan Ginnane: “Last tackle called, comes to Cleary. Charged down Kikau. If he gets the bounce he will almost score. He’s dragged down by Edwards. I think this is a problem. It’s a penalty and I think it is 10 minutes.”

Gorden Tallis: “It’s got to be”.

DG: “There is no one in front of Kikau, Kikau doesn’t get the best bounce and it gave Edwards a chance. But Edwards dragged Kikau back. That should be 10 in the bin.”

James Graham: “Make the decision Klein. We spoke about (Ashley) Klein. You bottleless git Klein.”

DG: “Hang on. It has to be (10 in the bin). That is a professional foul.”

JG: “Make the decision Klein you...”

GT: “This is the Jimmy Graham I love. I’m coming with ya. You told me to come with ya I’m coming with ya.”

James Graham is adored by Bulldogs fans. (AAP Image/Daniel Munoz)

Penrith challenged the call and the Bunker stuck with the on-field decision of Klein that it was a penalty and nothing more.

DG: “Now they have to check penalty try. It won’t be a penalty try because the ball took a funky bounce.”

Video ref: “Dylan Edwards makes contact with Viliame pushing him past the ball. He now knocks it on. We are ruling out a penalty try and a professional foul. Challenge unsuccessful.”

DG: “What, no. Geez.

JG: “You bottless git. The ball wasn’t. You bottleless git Klein.

GT: “You can’t make that decision Klein.”

JG: “You absolute bottle job.”

GT: “They used these words, ‘denied the opportunity’. Kikau as small as it (the Edwards grab) was, he was denied the opportunity.”

JG: “Would Ivan Cleary have any issue with that being 10 minutes (in the bin)?”

DN: “No one is in front of Kikau, that is a guaranteed 10.”

GT: “We are a chance of being pulled off the air here. You (Graham) are getting real close to swearing.

JG: “Oh man oh man.”

GT: “That’s the Jimmy Graham we love.”

Ginnane finished off the exchange by saying: “God help us there’s 76 minutes to go and you know Klein isn’t getting every decision right from here on in.”

Triple M told news.com.au they are investigating the audio and confirmed Graham used the word “git” to refer to Klein.

Git is British slang and is described by the Cambridge Dictionary as “a person, especially a man, who is stupid or unpleasant”.

It is unclear what Graham meant by the term “bottleless” however it could have been meant as a variation of the term ‘bottled it’, which is an informal British phrase meaning ‘to lose your nerve and fail to act in a crucial moment’.

The NRL has declined to comment on the matter.

James Graham played for the Bulldogs between 2012 and 2017. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Graham addresses bias concerns

Graham, who is an ambassador for the Bulldogs, was quizzed about his allegiance to the club ahead of Sunday’s game in a discussion about whether recruiting Lachlan Galvin had been a success.

“I don’t think you can look at today’s result and say that was the right or wrong decision because that’s purely outcome based decision making,” Graham said on Triple M’s Sunday Sin Bin.

The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said: “Can I say something to you mate? I say this really, really respectfully because you know what I think of you as a media commentator.

“I always get called out for being a Cronulla fan and member. Is it ever hard for you working for Canterbury and being unbiased?”

Graham said: “I’m only a club ambassador there. I think it’s brings more benefits than negatives.”

Rothfield asked: “If you thought the Galvin thing had been a flop, would you say that?”

Graham replied: “Yeah, I think I probably would.”

He added: “I like to think I have a strong opinion on things but a very loose grip. I have the ability to change my mind.

“My work and my opinions are independent of my work with the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs.”

The NRL has a strict Code of Conduct in place that prevents players, coaches and media partners from being abusive or undermining match officials.

In 2025, the NRL warned that any negative or critical comment about refereeing may attract consequences, including fines, suspension, or loss of privileges.

It is understood that Triple M, and therefore Graham as a commentator, fall under this Code of Conduct, given that Triple M is an official media partner of the NRL.

“The NRL has a National Code of Conduct that binds players, coaches, officials, spectators, etc. to behave in a manner that preserves the welfare, image, and reputation of the game. Criticism of match officials that is abusive or undermines the integrity of the match official is covered under this,” The NRL’s Code of Conduct reads.

Graham’s outburst also calls into question whether fans and those connected with a team playing should be on commentary duties for games involving teams they have an emotional connection to.

The Englishman is a diehard Dogs supporter after playing 135 games for the club between 2012 and 2017, where he captained the side and reached two Grand Finals.

He also showed his deep love for the club last year when he purchased $10,000 worth of tickets for fans before a finals match.

The Panthers were too strong for the Bulldogs on Sunday. Picture: NRL Photos

While his passion for his former club is commendable, whether he can be objective – something required of a commentator – while calling Dogs games is questionable.

This seemed to be the consensus of Triple M fans on Sunday as they responded to vision of Graham emotionally responding to the Kikau incident.

“James Graham, you need to calm down and you’e supposed to be a neutral. Going like that, and it wasn’t a professional foul,” one fan wrote.

“Jimmy is great but can we get an unbiased commentary team next time?” another added.

“I love Jimmy’s passion. However, to ensure a balanced broadcast, Jimmy shouldn’t commentate when the Dogs are playing.”

Graham is a rugby league great who retired in 2020 after playing 432 first-grade games for the Bulldogs and Dragons in the NRL and St Helens in the Super League, where he won a grand final in his final professional match.

But Graham is far from the only commentator who has been called out for not being impartial.

Phil Gould was dumped from the 2024 NRL grand final broadcast due to concerns over if he could be impartial due to his ties to Penrith. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould has also been similarly called out for his perceived bias towards both Canterbury and his former club, the Penrith Panthers.

Gould, a former Panthers player, premiership coach and former general manager, was dumped from Channel 9’s grand final broadcast last year between Melbourne and Penrith.

In the 2020 grand final between the Storm and the Panthers, Gould sparked uproar when he claimed his former club was “on top” despite the fact they were down 22-0 at half-time.

He also appeared to go off in the commentary box during the 2021 grand final between the Panthers and the Rabbitohs when a contentious call went against Penrith.

But it is not just Gould and Graham, with many of NRL’s current commentators affiliated to clubs, due to either playing for them, being on the board or being part of the coaching staff.

Originally published as NRL legend James Graham launches ugly tirade at referee, warned of being pulled off air