You could liken us to Man Utd right now and Graham is our version of Wayne Rooney. Graham is our best player and has experienced success at the club similar to Rooney at United, but all of a sudden we're going through a slight transitional stage with a younger squad and we've lost some of our key players (Cunningham, Sculthorpe and Long) just like United have (Tevez and Ronaldo). There's plenty of talent in our young squad similar to United, but will we go to the next level and match Graham's ambitions of being the absolute best, just like Rooney has asked for at United? We've curbed our spending slightly just like United due to their debts and our new stadium, but will we be competitive in future? Now I hope, like Rooney, that Graham signs a long term deal at Saints and feels like this is home.
For me, Graham is really difficult to replace. Not only is he a quality player, but he's passionate about this club and that's something that an overseas player or a player from another club cant replicate. He's OUR product and we HAVE to do everything in our power to keep him. Balls to the NRL, I don't care about that, and I don't think Graham going there will suddenly make him a much superior player or improve England's chances against the Aussies and Kiwis. Graham is outstanding whether he's here or in the NRL and he could become a legend at this club should he sign a new deal here. I'd be devastated if he left.
