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Graham gets chance to farewell faithful
Phil Graham will get an opportunity to show his blistering speed at Canberra Stadium for the last time in lime green when the Raiders clash with the Newcastle Knights on Monday night.
Despite scoring five tries in his last three games Graham’s recent form spike is unlikely to earn him a contract extension in the capital beyond this season.
Canberra coach David Furner conceded the Raiders’ talented juniors would force Graham to pursue his career at another NRL club or in Europe.
However, Graham will get a chance to farewell his fans as the Raiders attempt to end the Knights’ charge to the finals.
“I’ve spoken to Phil about where the club stands and what we’ve got at the moment so I suspect he and his manager are pressing ahead in another direction” Furner said of Graham’s future.
“Phil has been taking his opportunities and formed a good combination with Croker. But we have got some young kids and we’ve spoken about the importance of those young kids coming through and sealing those deals first. At the moment our hands are tied and for Phil and the club it’s a position we can’t change.”
The 28 year old was in talks with the Sydney Roosters, but insufficient salary cap room is likely to prevent Graham from joining the club.
Graham is the only change to the Canberra side that failed to fire against the New Zealand Warriors last Sunday.
A mystery virus sidelined the veteran winger last weekend but Furner was confident he would take his place against the Knights.
Representative forward Tom Learoyd Lahrs will be given until the weekend to prove he has recovered from a hamstring strain.
The 23 year old was desperate to take on the Knights, but said he did not want to risk further injury if he was not fully fit.
While the Raiders are out of finals contention the Knights need to win to retain their position in the eight.
Furner urged his players to treat the match like a semi final.
“We haven’t got any major injuries so I think I will be asking the players for more intensity this week” Furner said.
“Our first couple of sets against New Zealand weren’t good enough and we need to get off to better starts. It’s about us finishing our season as strong as we can and it’s a chance for the players to go out and perform.”
The Canberra Times
Phil Graham will get an opportunity to show his blistering speed at Canberra Stadium for the last time in lime green when the Raiders clash with the Newcastle Knights on Monday night.
Despite scoring five tries in his last three games Graham’s recent form spike is unlikely to earn him a contract extension in the capital beyond this season.
Canberra coach David Furner conceded the Raiders’ talented juniors would force Graham to pursue his career at another NRL club or in Europe.
However, Graham will get a chance to farewell his fans as the Raiders attempt to end the Knights’ charge to the finals.
“I’ve spoken to Phil about where the club stands and what we’ve got at the moment so I suspect he and his manager are pressing ahead in another direction” Furner said of Graham’s future.
“Phil has been taking his opportunities and formed a good combination with Croker. But we have got some young kids and we’ve spoken about the importance of those young kids coming through and sealing those deals first. At the moment our hands are tied and for Phil and the club it’s a position we can’t change.”
The 28 year old was in talks with the Sydney Roosters, but insufficient salary cap room is likely to prevent Graham from joining the club.
Graham is the only change to the Canberra side that failed to fire against the New Zealand Warriors last Sunday.
A mystery virus sidelined the veteran winger last weekend but Furner was confident he would take his place against the Knights.
Representative forward Tom Learoyd Lahrs will be given until the weekend to prove he has recovered from a hamstring strain.
The 23 year old was desperate to take on the Knights, but said he did not want to risk further injury if he was not fully fit.
While the Raiders are out of finals contention the Knights need to win to retain their position in the eight.
Furner urged his players to treat the match like a semi final.
“We haven’t got any major injuries so I think I will be asking the players for more intensity this week” Furner said.
“Our first couple of sets against New Zealand weren’t good enough and we need to get off to better starts. It’s about us finishing our season as strong as we can and it’s a chance for the players to go out and perform.”
The Canberra Times
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