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Graham gets Writers' award
England prop comes top of the poll after consistent campaign
Last updated: 8th September 2008 
Graham: Topped the rugby league writers' poll
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St Helens prop James Graham has been named the Rugby League Writers' Association's player of the year for 2008.
The 22-year-old has been rewarded for a stellar campaign for the Challenge Cup winners, beating off competition from two of his team-mates.
Leon Pryce and Keiron Cunningham were also in the running for the honour, along with Leeds scrum-half Rob Burrow and Catalans Dragons duo Clint Greenshields and Thomas Bosc.
However, Graham came out on top in the poll for his performances in a Saints pack that was beset by injuries during the opening months of the season.
Fantastic news
"It's fantastic news for James," said St Helens coach Daniel Anderson. "I think it's been a break-out season for the young front rower.
"He's 23 on Wednesday and for a 22-year-old to do what he's done this year is exceptional. He's been tremendous for us.
"He's always been a fairly strong character with the capability of being a leader and he's shown that this year."
England international Graham is the 13th winner of the RLWA award and will receive his prize at a presentation evening in Haydock next Monday.
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Comments (16)
Feme Adepetun says...
Graham still for M.O.S. hes been outstanding this year and deserves the praise for it. Brent Webb hasn't been that effective this year and Kieron Cunningham will only get it in his last season. Pryce has been good but nothing special while James Graham has had to put up with a changing pack throughout the year and has played nearly the full 80 minutes in most matches throughout the year.
Posted 13:16 25th September 2008
T M says...
Brent Webb for M.O.S
Posted 20:58 13th September 2008
Jim Harrison says...
In response to Daniel Fenteman you really need to take a long hard look at the statistics of personal players attributes within the game of rugby league to see that last year James Roby was by far the best player without even contributing for a full 80 minutes per game. And this year James Graham is by far the best player and fully deserves accolade. Also St.Helens have not got the best of records in play off rugby so why do people alienate St.Helens rugby team when winning the league and losing the grand final is no substitute for players and coaches after a hard season.The phrase "will to win" comes to mind when you talk about and see the st helens rugby in action. In any sport statistics never LIE hope this resolves the matter.
Posted 11:47 13th September 2008
Chris Johnson says...
Rob Burrow..... Pound for pound, size for size the most consistant player over how many years, this man is what the title says THE Man of Steel.
Posted 07:08 11th September 2008
Davy Edwards says...
Well done james..fully deserved! Typical coments from jealous fans, it was the same when Wigan were dominating, people said similar things about their team and players. Disagree with coments about ellis though .. best player for Leeds this year...Sinfield most over rated. As for Man of Steel only one winner Keiron Cunnigham!!!
Posted 19:11 9th September 2008
Carl Linley says...
graham is a very good player but i wouldn't say he would deserve a award, especially with the likes of tomas bosc, clint greensheilds, tomas leuluai, kevin sinfeild, adam mogg and rob burrows. if another saints player gets the man of steel i will lose my mind!
Posted 16:01 9th September 2008
Daniel Fenteman says...
In response to other people's comments i am not saying that graham is not a good player i argee that he is a VERY good player, but it's always saints players that seem to win awards and no other team gets a look in! Im guessing most of you people who commeneted back are saints fans? In response to Josh Mcgann, i dont think mcguire is the best no.6 i think leon price is actually, and yes he's a saints player but he deserves every acolade he gets he's a brilliant player! As for man of steel, doesn't anyone think maybe sinfield should get it? After 2 years of solid performances, being the rock of the leeds team?
Posted 14:57 9th September 2008
Simon Dechant says...
Graham's the easy choice in my opinion. He has been good, but why Bosc didn't get it I don't know. He has been superb the past 2 seasons and has helped turn Catalans around enourmousely. I'm a bulls fan but what Daniel said about Sam getting player of the year is a bit daft as he's only played half the season ... although that tackle against saints should get some massive credit :) But well done to James, lets hope he can keep the form up for England
Posted 00:34 9th September 2008
Craig Barnes says...
I cant believe the comment made by Mr Fenteman, Graham as been by far and away the best Forward in Super league this year, Peacock to me as not been in the best of form this season by is standards and Ellis seems to more bothered about getting a sun tan in Australia next season then turning out for Leeds at the min. Sam Burgess is a great prospect for the future but as already had a very bad injury and missed alot of the season and will miss the world cup so couldnt possable in contention for the award. James Graham for is age as been a rock this season for Saints and i really cant wait for him to turn out for England.
Posted 21:28 8th September 2008
Simon Kendall says...
James Graham has done well this year coming from a leeds fan i think he is one of the best young talents in super league and was probably right to get this award. M.O.S shouldn't go to him though but maybe tot he likes of kylie leuluai or even sam burgess. maybe greenshields should have a say in it but not roby who didn't do much last year!
Posted 20:55 8th September 2008
John Mcgann says...
re:daniel fenteman, are you for real, saints lost both jason cayless and nick fozzard in the first two weeks of the regular season, the guy has been immense all season, check opta stats, and compare with peacock, as for burrow, you will be telling us next that danny mcguire is the best no.6 in the land, an award that is thoroughly deserved, ask the neutrals..........
Posted 20:45 8th September 2008
Danny Smith says...
"even players like sam burgess and clint greenshields should have got it above graham" what a load of tosh.....Graham has played outstanding this year and has played FAR more minutes than any of the other players you refered too. A future GB captain without question... Well done
Posted 18:16 8th September 2008
Phil Jones says...
In response to Daniel Fenteman comments do you actually watch Rugby League? If you compare Grahams stats to Peacock's, Graham has made more metres, made more carries, made more tackles, missed less tackles, made fewer errors and given away less pentalties. Graham has been awesome this season and fully deserves this award and Man of Steel in my opinion.
Posted 16:42 8th September 2008
Dave Bridge says...
James Graham has been a rock for Saints,glad to see all his hard work has gained him some proper recognition as he thoroughly deserves it.Well done James
Posted 15:19 8th September 2008
Steve Jones says...
This is fantastic for James. Along with this award James should win the Man of Steel and I dont think any other player has played to a consistently high standard.
Posted 14:55 8th September 2008
Daniel Fenteman says...
Why is it always saints players that get these awards, grahma has done nothing this season compared to jamie peacock and gareth ellis, yes he's a good player but doesn't deserve this title! It's just like last years Man Of Steel, James Roby wasn't even Saints first choice hooker yet he got man of steel, what is the deal with that? it's outrageous! It's about time some other players apart from those that play for saints get a look in with these awards, even players like sam burgess and clint greenshields should have got it above graham, but all the hype around him, and him playing for saints up's his profile, i hope that this is rectified soon!
Posted 14:39 8th September 2008