Matteo’s off hook
Philbin hails grafter Graham
MATTEO GUENDOUZI has escaped FA punishment after an amazing let-off by English football’s top two referees.
Guendouzi feared he was going to get a ban and a fine after he grabbed Brighton forward Neal Maupay by the throat (above) during a bust-up at the end of Arsenal’s defeat at the Amex.
But, incredibly, referee Martin Atkinson did not see the incident after the final whistle and VAR Michael Oliver saw it and did not deem it to be a red
JAMES GRAHAM’S fairy-tale return to St Helens will inspire youngsters to become great instead of merely good.
That’s the message from Warrington prop Joe Philbin, who has witnessed Graham’s X factor magic at close quarters.
Philbin, 25, was thrilled to be named on last year’s Great Britain Lions tour but soon realised that captain Graham was on another level altogether. He said: “Coach Wayne Bennett took me aside at the start and said, ‘Cling on to Graham’s coat-tails and do whatever he does.’
“He’s a legend of the game and definitely someone that I, and other young players, have idolised.
“But when you’re with him, you realise that he is probably the hardest working player I’ve ever seen.
“He’s the ultimate professional and leader and does every little thing right in training and would often stay on for an extra 20 or 30 minutes.
“He leads by example on and off the field but you realise that it’s those one per cent things that improve you as a player.” Graham, who has left St George Illawarra Dragons after eight years in the NRL, said: “It wasn’t an easy decision.
“But this gives me the opportunity ■ by JULIE STOTT to go home and finish my career where it all started.”
Graham, 34, asked to leave the struggling Dragons after Luke Thompson’s sudden departure from Saints opened up a spot for when Super League returns in August.
He added: “I’m not normally a quitter and I hope this doesn’t perceive me as one.
“But I had to make it about me and the opportunity that was presented to me in order to go home and finish my career there.”
Graham won Super League and Challenge Cup honours with boyhood club Saints before joining Canterbury Bulldogs in Australia in 2012.
Philbin added: “Super League has lost a great player in Tommo but we’re gaining an absolute legend in James Graham.
“It’s a bit of a fairy tale for him because he had a lot of good years at Saints but it’s also a great acquisition for Super League.
“Those are the games, with players like him, that you can’t wait to play.
“He’s been killing it in the NRL and it’s great that he wants to finish his career in Super
League.”
Graham, who has over
50 England and Great
Britain caps, will retire at the end of the year and return to Australia for a media role.