Graham move to Dragons starts silly season
INSPIRATIONAL Canterbury skipper James Graham’s impending switch to St George Illawarra will officially kick off the NRL’s silly season – and the finals haven’t even started.
The futures of a number of star players and big-name coaches will be decided in the coming months as salary cap issues, team disharmony and poor on-field results cause a shake-up in clubland. Penrith’s Matt Moylan has already been rated a “50/50” chance of staying at Penrith, by club chief executive Brian Fletcher.
Canterbury hooker Michael Lichaa, the match-winner in yesterday’s thrilling 26-20 victory over St George Illawarra, is also clubless heading into the off-season.
Gold Coast marquee Jarryd Hayne may have won his battle with recently sacked coach Neil Henry but the former San Francisco 49er is no certainty to remain on the glitter strip beyond 2017.
Henry’s was the first head to fall in the coaching ranks but Canterbury colleague Des Hasler and South Sydney compatriot Michael Maguire are both under pressure to keep their positions for next season.
A slew of potential replacements, headlined by Queensland’s Kevin Walters, former Manly mentor Geoff Toovey and NRL assistants and lowergrade coaches like the Bulldogs’ Dean Pay and Jim Dymock and Penrith’s Garth Brennan, are waiting in the wings for an opportunity.
As for Graham, the 31-yearold played his final game for Canterbury yesterday, against the club he will join next season. After months of speculation Graham agreed to join St George Illawarra on a threeyear deal taking him through until the end of 2020.
While it is understood Graham is yet to officially sign the deal, the announcement will be made next week.