‘If you don’t go…’: Inside Dogs’ cap nightmare and the moment it dawned on a club legend

Bulldogs legend James Graham has opened up about his departure from Canterbury at the end of the 2017 season due to a salary cap crisis. Despite coach Des Hasler and CEO Raelene Castle offering reassurances that he could stay, chairman Ray Dib bluntly informed Graham he had to leave so the club could play for competition points the following year. Graham ultimately signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons to finish his NRL career.

Graham also revealed he previously offered to give up a six-figure ratchet clause in his contract to help the Bulldogs keep teammate Josh Reynolds, who eventually joined the Wests Tigers. Additionally, Graham reflected on his history of head knocks, explaining that while he now advocates for concussion protocols after discovering brain damage, he accepted the health sacrifices made during his career.