James Graham -an Examination

I'm usually not one for wasting my time by discussing a player from another team. However, this player set the tone for the incidents last night and the NRL needs to show leadership and a strong response to last nights events.I do not include his tackle as an indication of his character. It was a charge down gone wrong and accidents happen. Of course suspensions happen from tackles gone wrong so I would expect a result from this.The fact remains that Graham, for all of his immense talent, has a side to his game that brings disrepute to our game. In two grand finals his behaviour has been far from sporting. Biting the ear of an opponent was something that was a flashback to the 1970s. Refusing to have the grand final medal hung around his neck by Clive Churchill's widow was just poor form.Now we have his disgraceful behaviour from yesterday. Firstly, he continued to remonstrate about the 8 point try and probably should have been dealt with more harshly at that point. His response to the game deciding penalty was the like that I cannot recall in a previous NRL game. How he was allowed to remain on the field was beyond me and set the tone for the response from the fans. If the Canterbury club don't recognise that the actions of the captain triggered the emotions of their fans, they have their heads in the sand. Look at the actions of Klemmer! His captain was out of control and abusing the ref so why shouldn't he? He stood side by side doing so with his captain who was so out of control himself that he could not control his own players. How is this man allowed to captain an NRL club.So what about the response of the NRL?James Graham, David Klemmer and the Canterbury club have brought disrepute to the game.The tackle on Reynolds, accidental as it was, has resulted in a player being out of action for 5 months because of illegal contact.The reaction of Graham and Klemmer has contributed to the emotion of the fans, and no doubt the crowd reaction would not have been as extreme if the players weren't seen abusing the refs.The offending player has a history of offending.So what is the appropriate penalty? We've seen that a "dangerous" throw that doesn't result in injury can result in a 9 week suspension. What about actions that include a 5 month injury, abuse of officials on multiple occasions and possibly inciting riotous crowd behaviour!I await on the outcome with interest, if not a touch of cynicism.

Replies

sixtiesboy April 4, 2015 at 10:22am

Raelene Castle was just on triplem and said that Graham was still learning to be a captain. She said that they only have a problem with about ten fans! Is she kidding!! Every club has a problem with more than ten fans. Anyone who has been to Bulldogs games knows that there are issues with their fans. These bottles came from their members area because it was closest to the tunnel.
- Monster Eel #38 > sixtiesboy April 4, 2015 at 10:27am
  
  He'll get away with it. Greenturd will see to that.
- Phil Mann > sixtiesboy April 4, 2015 at 10:32am
  
  Any CEO of a NRL club who thinks they have problems with only 10 fans in their supporter base is totally away with the fairies and ought to sit in the bleaches sometimes away from the enclosed corporate facility. Sorry sweetheart your comments are evidence you don't have the smarts to hold that position. There would be at least 20 parra fans on this site alone that have problems. You know who you are!
- FME > sixtiesboy April 4, 2015 at 12:08pm
  
  Problem with only 10 fans hey. I saw at least 50 bottles on the field so these 10 fans were carrying at least 5 bottles each if not more. Interesting, very thirsty bunch are these troublesome 10.
The Schueb is back April 4, 2015 at 10:25am

I like the cut of your jib sixties

The refs were terrible last night - the dogs deserved a penalty for slowing the ruck 5 times in one set of 6 and got nought only for inglis to get one the very next set,

I don't even think Morris' boot touched Luke's head.... Yet he was on report - and will likely get off

The tackle by graham should never have been a penalty

But you can't yell and scream at a ref like that and stay on the field - the ref failed to take the bull by the horns during the 8 point try remonstrations and then made it worse in the 78th minute - fans surely fed off Graham's frustrations
- sixtiesboy > The Schueb is back April 4, 2015 at 10:30am
  
  Cheers mate. No doubt the refs are diabolical. I've written blogs, humorous and serious about them. The issue is how a captain reacts or is allowed to react. I have rarely if ever seen such a sustained response by a captain on an NRL field. Thurston may have gone overboard in the past but it wasn't in the same stratosphere as Graham.
- 2qioa2ycfdysv > The Schueb is back April 4, 2015 at 11:00am
  
  I dont agree with you.
  
  Watch it carefully champ.
  
  He kicks him in the head, his ear bleeds from the kick.
  
  He is then kneed on the other side by that fat fucker kasiano.
  
  then he cant play because of headknock. They all know the rules when scoring you cant attack the head of a player with feet. 2 weeks for Morris and he kicks him alright.
  
  The knee should be 10 weeks for mine but will get 5.
  
  Forget about all the slowdown ruck penalties. Its the same for both teams.
  
  The tackle at the end is a penalty. Read the rules champ.
  
  You are not allowed to tackle legs or touch them during any kick in the game.
  
  However you are allowed to make a tackle with both arms above the waist.
  
  So 5 months out is not good enough for you to warrant a tackle.
  
  By the way it was fucking late. and diving at a players feet was deliberate because if you want to stop a field goal you make you self a big target not a small one.
  
  Last time I checked most players who prevented a field goal jumped in the air with there hand above them.
  
  The bigger the target the less room to make the kick.
  
  Example like in Soccer. Stay in one spot bigger target to score. If you dive left or right moving forward smaller target to score.
  
  I understand everyones frustrations but the rules are there to protect our stars.
  
  5 months without Reynolds, souths are fucked. 5 months without Graham, and honest game of touch hard footy.
  
  Example number 2 for you about players.
  
  How come Tolman can play hard and tough but never be in the headlines for doing the wrong thing.
  
  How come this mother fucking grub is in the headlines for biting smashing a cheekbone, Rubbing vicks on his legs and now attacking a players feet and finally mouthing off to the ref not once but all game and he is the fucking captain.
  
  Like Sixties said he has brought the game into disrepute. He should be sent packing back to England as a Convict. Thats all he is. Dirty Convict.
- My Bob > The Schueb is back April 4, 2015 at 12:01pm
  
  Anyone who says the Graham tackle should never have been a penalty is either illiterate so they can't read the rule book, is deliberately obstinate and ignorant or just stupid.
sixtiesboy April 4, 2015 at 10:37am

I didn't realise that someone was aware of my multiple personas here. Please keep that quiet. If anyone believes Castle's ten fans statement they are even more delusional than her. It doesn't mean that the problem isn't in the minority, but I'm sure there are others like me who have, in the past, avoided attending games involving the Dogs.
- Phil Mann > sixtiesboy April 4, 2015 at 10:41am
  
  I wasn't referring to anyone on the site this morning (wink)

of 5

"Lincoln hasn't even played nsw cup yet and only played his first JF game this week. I believe he will play the full year in JF with maybe a game in cup here and there. I assume he will play nsw cup next year full time as the back up 7 to NRL. I…"

"Can Lincoln Fletcher play in top grade? Wouldn't mind seeing him get a run at number 6 also Lorenzo and Twidle need upgrading.. I see Ethan Sanders ( ex Parra) won the game for the Raiders "

Eels Blogs

James Graham -an Examination

Replies

More stuff to read

Eels blogs

Mark O'neill out - Shane Richardson in

The next generation

Flegg win against Storm

Your Line up for next week?

Note: this page contains paid content.

Social Blogs

Irony is Even Deader

Shark Attack..... Moses told to be wary of the surf!

Poppa's Dilemma, Welcome to my Corner, come in and have a Cuppa with a Silly Old Bastard. I think it's New Year Shortly?

Keaon done deal

Note: this page contains paid content.