I don't watch him as often as you lot but I reckon the lack of props has little bearing. It's the constant effort throughout the season that does for him. He puts in a huge amount of effort in every game regardless of time of year, opposition, significance of game etc until he runs out of steam, usually in time for the GF/internationals. Contrast that with Peacock. His early-mid season form often appears poor, indeed some Leeds fans regularly suggest he should only get one more year, or even that the current season could be his last as a top prop. Remarkably, come the business end of the season he's starting to play like a man possessed. This isn't meant as a criticism of Graham - he's superb - but it does beg the question of the coaches who allow, or even encourage him, to waste his energies in the way that he does.

I noted to my brother at the match after about 5 mins that we were deliberatley running at Graham 2-3 times each set, it was a game plan and it worked.

On a plus side for Saints it shows what respect Leeds have for him but it also shows you rely on him maybe a bit too much.

I thought the shinner was from a clash of heads with Sinfield but this being the Saints board I'm sure we can leave it at an elbow from Bailey or a Kick to the head from Sinfield

I stand corrected.

[delKick to the head[/del =#FF0000Headbutt

I agree that we need to give Graham a week or two rest so he isn't blown out for the play-offs.

That's balls.

All I did was give my opinion on James Graham, then answer the very people who said things like "well look at that Joel Tomkins - naughty boy".

Put your other eye in, and use both. It's what they're there for.

Leave it to me, son.

I don't think anyone here would disagree with that. He's been holding up our front row single handedly for a couple of years now. The arrival of Perry (and LMS, if rumours are to be believed) will/would certainly alleviate that problem.

I think there's little doubt Graham was carrying an injury on Saturday. He's the type of player who'll take the pitch whatever state he's in, and without any half-backs we couldn't afford to lose him as well. Unfortunately for us it didn't work out, but I think we did pretty well in the circumstances.

Not just us mate, half the NRL sides across the pond are offering him huge contracts for two years down the line. Name me a better, complete all round prop forward that goes for 80 mins in the world than Graham?

Boyd2, you should be a coach, not

.



=#FF0000Knock it off. No need for personal insults.

Carlos.

I don't think he was injured.

I don't think he was tired.

I think he just had a bad game, he is human, he does and will have bad game like all players do.

Graham is a great player but he ain't superman, every player has bad games, graham had one in the semi.

We can't make excuses up for him.

I like Graham a lot. It was bad turning his back in defence, but he wasn't alone there. The only thing I'm not too sure about is why he's getting involved in passing the ball so much.

Most of the team looked tired in the 2nd half, I think it might have been a combination of 3 factors.
1) Not recovered from last weeks Warrington game 2) Don,t seem to be conditioned right this season 3) It may have been hot and humid at pitch level.
A lot of our losses have been at the back end of games, so I suspect the teams fitness plans are not right.

A team is bound to tire more with zero kicking game. Having no halves also leads to more disorganisation and mistakes, which puts further pressure on.

Unfortunately, we were always going to tire in that game.

Pete i am a coach,but i still think you rate the kid too high IMO, as frontrowers go he is not up there with Ward,Peacock, Morley,Webkie,Crookes just to mention a few.

None of the people you have just mentioned deserve to be listed with webke. He was awesome. Graham is already as good as peacock and he is still in his early 20s. You are obviously not a very good coach.

Firstly I don't think Graham played that badly, he just didnt perform as good as he normally does. Secondly we appeared tired/slower especially in the finall 15 mins of each half because we had a 9 playing 7 and 11,12 or 13 forward playing 6, Leeds used these adavantages to full effect at the right times and the difference in pace in these positions took it's toll on a hot day, fair play to Leeds because the best team won on the day. Buderus executed a fantastic play at the right time and there is no shame in being undone by a guy who has been voted the best player in the world.

Leeds..... good luck in the final.

It,s more about opposition fans not willing to accept that he is one of the best prop forwards in superleague and is rated very highly by international coaches, the NRL and his fellow players.
He was Great Britain Captain at 19 years of age, Man of Steel at 23 years of age, Top Metre forward for the last 2 seasons. he is rated so highly by the opposition teams that he has had to be individually targeted this year. On top of that he has 4 or 5 years to go before he reaches his peak.
If you don,t rate him highly, and you are an astute coach, tell me who is better than him in superleague at his current development age

BOYD, read my posts, where do you get i rate overate graham ?

Bollox, at his age he is a front rower which only of the 2 above were. He is better at the moment than Peacock and Morley, and will only get better. His variation he can bring to his game for a front rower is awesome and thats from a Wiganer.

Well he must have had an injury as he is out of Friday's squad and is going for a scan on a back problem. Has Bluey been at it again with his voodoo doll.

He's a top top prop is Graham, but he's not better than Peacock. Both are brilliant but he's not better.

As good as Peacock may be - Graham is just that little bit better and still has age on his side.

I think we will have to agree to disagree, but I agree with the age on his side though.. BUT for example Fielden hasn't exactly peaked in his late 20's/early 30's as I beleive Peacock has, Fielden has declined and Graham may do the same - I hope not for the National sides sake, but you never know...