Campbell Graham

Campbell Graham
Personal information
Full nameCampbell Graham
Born (1999-06-02) 2 June 1999 (age 25)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height197 cm (6 ft 6 in)
Weight97 kg (15 st 4 lb)
Playing information
PositionCentre, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2017– South Sydney 131 64 0 0 256
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019 Prime Minister's XIII 1 1 0 0 4
2019 Australia 9s 5 2 0 0 8
2022– Australia 2 5 0 0 20
Source: [1]
As of 1 September 2023

Campbell Graham (born 2 June 1999) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre or winger for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL and Australia at international level.

Background

Graham was born in Sydney, New South Wales, to British-born parents; his father is from Glasgow, Scotland[2] while his mother is from Coventry, England.[3]

He played his junior rugby league for the Coogee Wombats and Maroubra Lions,[4] before being signed by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He completed his Higher School Certificate at Marcellin College Randwick in 2017.[5]

Playing career

Early career

In 2016 and 2017, Graham played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs' NYC team.[6][7]

Late in 2016, he played for the Australian Schoolboys.[8]

2017

In February, Graham re-signed with South Sydney on a contract until the end of 2019.[9] In round 22 of the 2017 NRL season, he made his NRL debut for South Sydney against St. George Illawarra.[10][11] He wasn't named in the original 21-man squad that NRL teams are required to pick a game day 17-man squad from, but was allowed to play after Souths sought and were granted an exemption by the NRL to include him after a late injury to Robert Jennings.[11]

Graham playing for the North Sydney Bears in 2017

Graham was named in Scotland's squad for the 2017 World Cup at the end of the season,[12] but withdrew in order to get a full off-season of training.[3]

2018

Graham spent the first few weeks of the 2018 NRL season playing for South Sydney's feeder side North Sydney in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW. In round 9 of the 2018 season, Graham scored his first NRL try in South Sydney's 36-18 win over the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium.[13] Graham made a total of 16 appearances for Souths in 2018 scoring 7 tries as Souths reached the preliminary final against arch rival Eastern Suburbs but lost the match 12-4 with Graham playing on the wing.[14][15]

2019

In round 3 of the 2019 NRL season, Graham scored 2 tries as Souths defeated the Gold Coast 28-20 at ANZ Stadium. In round 19 against St. George, Graham scored a try after the siren had sounded as Souths won the match 20-16 after being down 16-14 with a minute remaining.[16][17]

In round 21 Graham scored a hat-trick in a 26-16 loss to Melbourne Storm at Central Coast Stadium.[18] He was selected at number 4 in Freddy's Team of the Week following his try scoring effort.[19] Graham made a total of 27 appearances and scored 14 tries for Souths in the 2019 NRL season as the club reached their second consecutive preliminary final in a row. Graham scored a try in the preliminary final against the Canberra Raiders but ultimately it wasn't enough as Canberra won the game 16-10.[20]

On 7 October, Graham was selected on the wing for the U23 Australian team.

Graham was called into the Australian squad for the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s for the injured Curtis Scott.[citation needed]

2020

In round 15 of the 2020 NRL season, Graham scored two tries in a 56-16 victory over Manly-Warringah at ANZ Stadium.[21]

The following week, Graham scored two tries in a 38-0 victory over Parramatta at Bankwest Stadium.[22]

In round 18 against Wests Tigers, Graham scored two tries in a 26-24 victory at Bankwest Stadium.[23]

Graham played a total of 21 games scoring 13 tries. He played in two of South Sydney's three finals games, missing the preliminary final loss to Penrith through injury.[24]

2021

In round 8 of the 2021 NRL season against Canberra, Graham fractured his hand in South Sydney's victory. He was later ruled out for four weeks.[25]

In round 15 of the 2021 NRL season, Graham scored two tries for South Sydney in a 46-0 victory over Brisbane.[26]

The following week, he scored two tries for Souths in a 38-22 victory over Wests Tigers at an empty Leichhardt Oval.[27]

In round 25, Graham scored two tries for South Sydney in a 20-16 victory over St. George Illawarra.[28]

Graham (centre) and Angus Crichton (right) celebrating winning the 2021 RLWC Final

Graham played a total of 21 games for South Sydney in the 2021 NRL season including the club's 2021 NRL Grand Final defeat against Penrith.[29]

2022

On 5 July, it was confirmed that Graham would be ruled out for six-eight weeks with a fractured cheekbone. Graham sustained the injury in South Sydney's 30-12 victory over Parramatta.[30]

Graham returned to the South Sydney side in round 23 of the 2022 NRL season against Penrith. Graham scored a try in the clubs 26-22 loss.[31]

Graham played 20 matches for South Sydney in the 2022 NRL season including all three of the clubs finals matches as they reached the preliminary final for a fifth straight season. Souths would lose in the preliminary final to eventual premiers Penrith 32-12.[32]

In October he was named in the Australia squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[33] In the second group stage match at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, Graham made his debut for Australia, scoring a hat-trick in a 84-0 victory over Scotland.[34]

In the final group stage match, Graham scored two tries for Australia in their 66-6 victory over Italy.[35]

2023

In round 7 of the 2023 NRL season, Graham scored two tries for South Sydney in their 36-14 victory over the Dolphins side.[36] In round 9, Graham scored a hat-trick in South Sydney's 32-6 victory over Brisbane.[37] Graham played a total of 21 games and scored 16 tries throughout the year as South Sydney finished 9th on the table and missed the finals.[38] He was awarded the George Piggins Medal as Souths' player of the year.[39]

2024

On 8 February 2024, it was announced that Graham would require surgery on his sternum and would be out for potentially half the 2024 NRL season.[40]

References

  1. ^ "Campbell Graham - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  2. ^ Walter, Brad (7 October 2022). "Graham eyes Bravehearts clash after Kangaroos call-up". NRL. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  3. ^ a b Walter, Brad (29 March 2019). "Burgess brothers line up flying Scotsman Graham for GB Lions". NRL.com. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  4. ^ "South Sydney rookie Campbell Graham takes study break against Brett Morris' Canterbury Dogs". www.dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  5. ^ AAP (7 August 2017). "NRL schoolboy winger gets top marks". SBS News. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  6. ^ "G". 27 December 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  7. ^ "Holden Cup NYC Under 20's - 2017 Round 7 » League Unlimited". League Unlimited. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  8. ^ "ASSRL Schoolboys rugby league news, Australian Secondary School Rugby League, Australian Schoolboys". Ourfootyteam.com. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  9. ^ "Rabbitohs extend contracts of three talented juniors - Zero Tackle". 9 February 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  10. ^ "Updated team lists: Dragons v Rabbitohs". 4 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  11. ^ a b Media, NRL Digital. "LATE MAIL: Round 22, 2017". Retrieved 4 August 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  12. ^ "Scotland add Two NRL Talents as Walker is withdrawn". RLWC2017.com. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
  13. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "NRL 2018 - Round 9 - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  14. ^ "South Sydney Rabbitohs 2018 season review". www.nrl.com. 25 October 2018.
  15. ^ "Match Report". www.northsydneybears.com.au.
  16. ^ "Rabbitohs steal last-second win over brave Dragons". NRL. 26 July 2019.
  17. ^ "South Sydney defeats Gold Coast Titans 28-20, Canterbury Bulldogs upset Wests Tigers 22-8". ABC News. 31 March 2019.
  18. ^ "Munster monsters Souths as Storm all but seal minor premiership". NRL. 11 August 2019.
  19. ^ "A win for the sin bin | Freddy & The Eighth: Round 22 | NRL on Nine". YouTube. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021.
  20. ^ "Canberra Raiders end 25-year wait to reach NRL grand final with victory over Rabbitohs". The Guardian. 27 September 2019.
  21. ^ "South Sydney beats Manly in 56-16 NRL thrashing, Roosters and Canberra record victories". www.abc.net.au.
  22. ^ "World reacts to Rabbitohs thrashing of the Eels". www.news.com.au.
  23. ^ "Luke Brooks sent to bin for 'ridiculous' right hook at Dane Gagai". www.news.com.au.
  24. ^ "Penrith Panthers beat South Sydney Rabbitohs 20-16 to set up NRL grand final against Melbourne Storm". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  25. ^ "Melbourne Storm embarrass South Sydney Rabbitohs 50-0 as Josh Addo-Carr crosses for six tries". www.abc.net.au.
  26. ^ "South Sydney Rabbitohs thrash Brisbane Broncos 46-0, Payne Haas on report". www.abc.net.au.
  27. ^ "'Souths training run': Madge hunts for new men after toothless Tigers effort". www.nrl.com.
  28. ^ "Manly beats North Queensland 46-18 to clinch NRL top-four spot as South Sydney, Brisbane record victories". www.abc.net.au.
  29. ^ "One of finest NRL grand finals of all time provides cure to difficult season". www.theguardian.com.
  30. ^ "Broncos scrambling as horror toll worsens; Souths star's brutal injury revealed: Team Tips". www.foxsports.com.au.
  31. ^ "NRL Thursday LIVE: Panthers win grand final rematch to seize minor premiership; players union blasts 'witch hunt' against Knights stars kicked out of cubicle". wwos.nine.com.au.
  32. ^ "Penrith Panthers defeat South Sydney Rabbitohs 32-12 to qualify for third straight NRL grand final". www.abc.net.au.
  33. ^ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
  34. ^ "Rugby League World Cup: Australia thrash Scotland 84-0". www.bbc.co.uk.
  35. ^ "Rugby League World Cup: Australia 66-6 Italy - Kangaroos cruise to quarter-finals". www.bbc.co.uk.
  36. ^ "'Utterly bizarre' Bunker call exposes NRL double standard". www.foxsports.com.au.
  37. ^ "Hat-trick hero's Origin statement as Latrell outshines Walsh; Broncos miss Haas in Souths' rout: Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au.
  38. ^ "'Absolute madness': Potential Latrell switch slammed as a 'band aid' for broken Bunnies". www.foxsports.com.au.
  39. ^ "Graham Wins George Piggins Medal as Season's Best and Fairest – South Sydney Rabbitohs". Site Name, i.e. Moz. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  40. ^ "Rabbitohs star Campbell Graham booked for surgery, facing huge stint on sidelines after injury complications". www.foxsports.com.au.
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