Surely a misprint. Nominated for ''Rugby League World Golden Boot award''. They just put a token Super League player in? Anyone else think he is worthy of such award? Personally think its between Benji Marshall & Sam Thaiday. www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 05,00.html

Surely a misprint. Nominated for ''Rugby League World Golden Boot award''. They just put a token Super League player in? Anyone else think he is worthy of such award? Personally think its between Benji Marshall & Sam Thaiday. www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 05,00.html

Nowhere near.

the only misprint is Sam Thaiday..... should of course read Sam Tomkins, the best player in the universe.

I thought Todd Carney had just landed the worlds best award? Or was that the Dally M?

If he was in the NRL he would be easily regarded as the best player in the world, so I don't see the problem.

No other prop out there as come close to him this season, and the guy is so consistent.

Why else do you think Aussie clubs are clamouring for him to sign up for next year?

Yup. He's way off.

So that's why he carved Australia up every time he got the ball then? Must have missed that bit. He's a solid player and may well go onto bigger and better things in the NRL. For England this time round he didn't look anything special at all to me.

So you have to carve defenses up everytime you get the ball? Rubbish!

Does Petro Civoniceva tear defences apart? They graft and make the hard metres which is What Graham does every game. The people who run over the top of opponents are not consistent enough (Sam Burgess). He looked dog turd this series.

I think you must have missed his offloads, especially those which started the progress to tries (and there were a few of them); or the fact that he was joint top tackler in spite of being spelled; or that he made as many if not more metres than players on the pitch for the full 80 minutes. From the articles I have read, the Aussies value his offloading ability, sound handling, good step and capacity to play consistently at a high standard and over lengthy periods of time. In short, probably the qualities that few English fans even notice. They are usually too busy taking the mick out of him in one way or another.

He won't win the award as it is always skewed towards an Australian player, with perhaps Benji Marshall being the best hope for the Kiwis. But I think being shortlisted for the award is justifiable and fair recognition of his talent, commitment and consistency not only in Superleague but also at international level. He was one of a very few England players who could return home with their reputations in tact if not actually improved as a result of their performances down under.

And I would add that he is also one of a very few English players who are not afraid of the Aussies or the Aussie refs or the Aussie press. If all England's players took that attitude, we might just win a game against them once in a while, regardless of the talent or otherwise we had on the pitch. Robinson was another who showed no respect for the Aussies. He just took it to them. Good on him. I hope he has another go at them next season.

Graham has perhaps been our best player in the Four Nations and is clearly one of the few genuinely world class players in this England side. I'd love to see him in blue and amber and I'm sure he'll do well in the NRL if/when he goes. However, he shouldn't have been shortlisted for this award. Based on the State of Origin series, the Four Nations and him winning the Dally M prop award, I'd say David Shillington is the best front rower in the world right now.

Why not? If you say he is truly world class, then why shouldn't he be shortlisted for an award that is, er, rewarding a world class player? He won't win it but surely being shortlisted is simply recognition of what you yourself believe him to be?

He shouldn't have been shortlisted ahead of Shillington who, in my opinion, has been the best front rower in the world this year but wasn't shortlisted.

As long as FGB doesn't listen to Cunninghams he'll be propping in the NRL in next few years

If he does come over to Australia, I'm not sure who'd be willing to sign him....all these clubs that are reported to be interested...the silence is deafening over here.

There did seem to be a bit of interest before the 4 nations, but to be honest I don't think that any England player is going to be at the top of any shopping list after those performances.

Regarding the Golden boot, he's light years behind Shillington, Scott, Civoneciva (still) and Weyman and I can't believe he's been nominated to be honest.

Think he is running scared of TMFMISL

Look Graham's a class prop.

But a captain? Nah. World-beater? Nah.

He should also get on with his job. Sometimes he thinks he's Leon Pryce or something, but with better morals obviously.

He's a terrific player, but I can't see how this nomination makes sense (unless it's a blatant attempt to flatter him into breaking his contract and moving to the NRL). I think a year in the NRL would prove he's up there with the best, just like it did for Gareth Ellis. Token SL player? It is a global business after all.

Absolute nonsense.

I agree. He has it all, with one possible exception. I grew up in an age where props were enforcers and laid the smack down when required. Graham doesn't physically dominate or intimidate enough for me - which is why Morely and Peacock have been the benchmark for so long.

I would love to see him in the NRL (partly because we wouldn't have to face him again) and also to show Ellis and Morely are not exceptions, and that we do have some great players over here.

Graham must be rubbish, even Michael Worrincey has gone down under to the Panthers!!

Sound observation. Graham is a product of his time, he excels against modern tackling techniques. Whether or not he would have thrived when the game was more of an impact sport is a moot point. However, at the end of the day it matters little. As a modern prop he does what's required very well.

Well, that's your opinion I guess. I don't actually expect fans of other clubs to think James Graham is worthy of his nomination but the panel are viewing him from a more objective POV. James Graham was the top metre maker for the third year running this season, which suggests that he is in fact impacting defences. But he is much more than just a barger, which I think is why he has caught the attention of the international panel. He is well worthy of his nomination.

However, Benji Marshall should win it. He has been outstanding in the internationals and if that is how he plays most of the time during the regular season then he should walk it.

props always make metres due to taking the ball up when they recieve the kick off. i would judge him on plenty of other things rather than metres made

I don't doubt Graham is quality but i think if he is to reach the "world class" stage many label him he needs to bugger off to the NRL and follow Burgess and Ellis do it week in week out and then replicate at international level.
Once again he was handled comfortably by the Aussies and Kiwis in this tournament as were the rest of our "World Class" stars.

But why ? A Super League Graham looked a class above the NRL superstars Ellis and Burgess. Infact i'd say Ben Westwood also looked a better player than Sam Burgess.