Graham not taking future for granted

Updated June 20, 2012 20:43:35

Retirement should be the last thing on Ash Graham's mind.

But the leading try-scorer in the NRL did not rule out hanging up the boots at the end of 2013 after signing on for another season with North Queensland.

Cowboys football manager Peter Parr was confident the 28-year-old winger would remain at the club "for some time to come" after stitching up the one-year contract extension.

And why not? Graham is in career-best form, leading the NRL with 13 tries in 14 games to date.

He was also considered for the Queensland team before being pipped by Cowboys teammate Brent Tate ahead of the opening State of Origin match.

However, Graham sounded like a man winding down his career when he announced his re-signing.

"I will try and put in another good year, look at my career and see how I am feeling then," said Graham, who has played 178 NRL games.

"I am not going to announce now that I am going to retire (at the end of 2013) - a year is a long time in footy."

There was one big box to tick before walking away from the game for Graham - and it wasn't an Origin debut.

Asked what he would prefer to have achieved before retiring - a Queensland call-up or a premiership - Graham said: "Premiership, hands down.

"Playing Origin would be awesome - I would be over the moon but, first and foremost, I want to win a maiden premiership for the Cowboys."

And he might just get his wish - the Cowboys (6th; 8-6 record) are buzzing ahead of Saturday night's clash with Canberra following their 12-0 last-round win over third-placed
Brisbane.

"There's a good feeling around the place and that's what you need if you want to go places in this competition," Graham said.

Graham's retirement was clearly not on Parr's agenda.

"There's no doubt that Ash has been in career-best form for the Cowboys over the past two seasons," he said.

"He's been with the club for seven seasons now and continues to improve.

"At 28, we're sure Ash is going to be a contributor for the Cowboys for some time to come."

Asked how he would rate his form, Graham said: "It's up there".

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, townsville-4810, qld

First posted June 20, 2012 20:43:35

View the original article here

Taking a Look at the Benefits of Junior Football Clubs

Petero not taking Origin for granted

Updated May 17, 2012 14:34:40

Petero Civoniceva humbly accepts that Wednesday's opening State of Origin match could be his last appearance.

No other forward has played as many Tests or State of Origin matches as the Fijian-born Queensland giant.

But at age 36 and in his last season, Civoniceva knows the axe may well fall on his illustrious Origin career if the smaller, more mobile New South Wales pack get the upper hand and the Blues pull off an upset at Melbourne's Docklands to grab a 1-0 series lead.

"You live by the sword and I've put myself on the line again to go (around) one more time," said Civoniceva, as he prepared for his 31st Origin match.

"I guess it's in the back of my mind that you run the risk, but for me all I know is that I want to make sure I perform as strongly as possible.

"I've always felt fortunate to be a part of these teams but you know how quickly you can see your demise on the back of one bad performance."

Civoniceva is no different to any player - he fears being axed.

Before the second match of the 2006 series, Civoniceva and Darren Lockyer were told their Origin futures were on the line with the Blues threatening to take a record fourth straight series after winning the opening match 17-16 despite the Maroons holding a big lead early.

The turnaround then is etched in history with the Maroons going on to win six straight series.

"There was doubt over the careers of Locky (Darren Lockyer), Steve Price and myself in 2006," Civoniceva said.

"We had a lot of pressure on us going into the 2006 series, especially after we lost the first game.

"I'm just so grateful we were able to build something from there and I've been able to remain in the team."

So too are coach Mal Meninga and his Maroons team-mates who regard Civoniceva as the rock on which many of their great victories over the Blues have been built.

Tough back-rower Nate Myles loves having Civoniceva around.

He is not surprised that, even in the intensity of Origin, no player had taken a swing at the 110-kilogram Civoniceva during his 30 Queensland appearances.

"After you've tackle him you realise your fist isn't going to do much to him," Myles said.

"He's such a tough man. I don't think his knees bend when he runs. He's so hard to tackle and you know it's going to hurt.

"I don't think anyone will replace what Petero means to Queensland on or off the field."

Civoniceva says pulling on the Maroons jumper means everything.

"I guess I just wanted it so badly as a kid and it's still like that for me," he said.

"I'm lucky I have always thought that way and that's why I have been a part of this for so long now."

The emotion of it being his last series has not hit him yet.

"It'll be something where if I'm fortunate enough to be there for the third game I'll look back and reflect on what has been a good run," he said.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, state-of-origin, melbourne-3000, brisbane-4000

First posted May 17, 2012 14:31:50

View the original article here