I'm struggling to think of someone else who boasts a record like that?

can you think of someone with 7 straight GF APPEARANCES?

I am no fan of him, but he's doing something right to have played 7 in 7, anywhere in the world.

He hasn't got 7 straight appearances. Last year was Manly v Roosters. I think he's played in 6 SL and 2 NRL grand finals, winning one - so 7 GFs in 8 seasons. I'm sure he's not massively chuffed about that loss record but the appearances are still impressive

thanks for the correction. I've never been a fan (mainly because he's never played for "my" team"icon_wink.gif but he's an impressive individual and has had more success than many others.

Both his NRL finals the team he's played for have been outsiders and a loss was the expected outcome. It was at saints that's really squewed his record, there should have been 2 more wins on the slate from then.

Which ones? I would say in all his SL losses the better side won on the day.Of course they may have been favourites in a couple but that doesn't get you a winners ring.

Terry Newton had a poor record in finals losing against us in 98 then for us in 2000, 2001 and 2003 but Graham's batters that record.

When I said there should have been 2 more wins on the slate, I didn't mean they were robbed or deserved to win on the day what I meant was the circumstances were all in place for the team to perform on the day and win. (2008 and 2011). Losing those games are what has really dented his record because in 2012 and 2014 the win for his team was never really on, certainly not as much as it was for his team in 2008 and 2011.

Think the 2011 GF was the one that 'got away' the most from his losses when Saints were 16-8 up with 20 to play. Royce Simmonds took him off for 5 minutes just as Leeds were getting back in it, big mistake, that and the dumbness of Scott Moore.

Yeah he has.

He played in 6 straight for Saints (2006-2011), and then the next year for Canterbury in the NRL (2012).

8 GFs in the last 9 years ............... I suppose it shows that he's played for some very good teams, but not great teams. He's played in sides which have done well to get to GFs, but then have come across teams that were too big, strong and physical for Saints/Bulldogs.

In another era, he might have 5 or 6 wins, but he's been unlucky to come up against some outstanding sides.

As previously mentioned, the 2 Aussie GFs were always going to end badly, but I think he should have got 2 more wins with Saints ......... in 2011 Saints threw away a big lead, and in one other (2009?) a terrible decision by Ganson changed the game in Leeds favour when Saints had the lead.

Being charitable... you must have misremembered that bit I'm afraid.

I remember it. A completely incorrect video ref decision that awarded Lee Smith a try wasn't it?

If you mean the kick it was proven that he was onside it's just initially he clearly looked offside.

Also Ganson was the on-field ref so did the right going to the screen, it was Bentham who awarded it as VR.

It was 11-10 Leeds before that so Saints still needed to score regardless, obviously 1 point deficit is different to 7 points but it still might've been a Leeds win even if the try was ruled out.

I wish I was as crap in Grand Finals

Have you read the thread?

No one is saying Graham has played poorly, in fact quite the opposite.

It's a talking point that such a great player has wound up opn the losing side so many times, when none of his performances have ever warranted it.

yes, thank you.

I possible could've worded it better, how about: "I wish I was as crap at getting to grand finals"?

happy now?

What character he must have to keep going and going after so many disappointments. I really felt for him after the game today.

His post patch interview was pretty telling, poor dude looked completely lost.

Fact about James Graham is,Any supporter of a club in Superleague would have him back in the blink of an eyelid...That*s how good he is.

not just that, any other team in the NRL would take him too

The three injuries in the second half didn't help either, especially to Wello and Shenton, both of whom were good defenders.

The 2011 was the worst loss of them all I think for every Saints fan.

He's a trooper. Love the guy. Tough as old boots. Would love him back in super league can like watching him boss the NRL. I think its bad luck he's lost a few of them finals but no coincidence his teams got to the finals.

Just like on the pitch, when you bash him, he'll just get up and run harder next time.