Graham running hot in new life
Phil’s Coast career was short but he’s now firing up our Gen Next
PHIL Graham’s impact on the Gold Coast without doubt has come more in his post-NRL career than his limited opportunities on the field for the Titans.
The speedy centre finished his 11-year career under John Cartwright in 2012 but admits his battered body prevented him from reaching the level that had made him a danger man at the Roosters and, in particular, Canberra.
“I got a couple of injuries at training and didn’t play that well and played a bit of reserve grade,” he said.
“I just couldn’t get my body right; I thought it was my body telling me that was enough so I finished up.”
After six months off, Graham came through the arduous application process to become a firefighter.
“I was lucky enough to get through because it is pretty competitive. I think there was about 20,000 people applying for like 100 spots,” he said.
Often based at Southport or Helensvale, it’s a line of work he is passionate about.
“It’s great. I am very lucky to have a job like that and work with a lot of good people,” Graham said.
Between firefighting, Graham has spent the past four years passing on his footy knowledge at Titans feeder club Burleigh Bears, where he is an assistant coach – focusing on outside backs and edge second-rowers – for their Intrust Super Cup side.
It’s exciting times, given the Bears are two wins away from repeating their 2016 ISC premiership heroics.
“They’re a good bunch of blokes down there and they all work hard for each other,” said Graham, now 37.
“It’s easy to get in there and do my bit with the boys, they all want to learn and be the best players they can.”
Although he finished with just two Titans games, that figure could have been a whole lot higher.
“I nearly came up to the Titans a few years earlier when I was at Canberra,” Graham revealed.
“But it wasn’t the right time for me to leave, I thought I was still improving my game and learning at that stage so I stuck around.”