Past Nicholas Graham

[Jeremias]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-03-05/injuries-hit-young-blues

CARLTON draftee Nick Graham's hopes of making his AFL debut early this season have been dashed after suffering a knee injury that will sideline him for up to eight weeks.

This is really disappointing news for Nick as he has been performing well throughout the preseason and was pushing his case for an early debut.

Nothing to be overly concerned about and he has all the time in the world to recover fully but it is disappointing regardless.

Hopefully we see him back out on the park sooner rather than later as the kid can really play and certainly has something to offer. Looking forward to seeing what he can do, particularly in the second half of the season. Can't see him entering discussions for senior selection prior to that.

 

[Sin City]

Luckily he's a very fit guy and you can also count on him to be very committed in his rehab. He'll bounce back well from this.

 

[thebluelagoon]

do we know the nature of his knee injury? is it the same knee he had problems with last year and played on in the tac cup final?
i think that they said he went in for an arthroscope? this all sounds a lot like cartilage problems to me. hope its not the cooney type

 

[HARKER]

After what can only be described as an eye-opening start to his time at Carlton through some terrific intra-club games, Graham has had to have minor surgery on his knee that will now see him out until about the quarter point of the year.

Far from the flashiest player Graham has the poise, balance, aggression and determination that will see him a regular player in the not too distant future.
The general message from insiders is that, "We've got ourselves a beauty"

Looking forward to his games at VFL level initially and all being well, senior level later in the year.

 

[HARKER]

Nick is still being touted as being another 6-8 weeks away from being ready to play although it doesn't quite look that way.

Showing very good hand to eye co-ordination at training and the CFC are looking at getting him up and running as soon as he's ready.

 

[Jeremias]

Unfortunately Nick has now been placed on the LTI list so is still a fair way off yet.

Certainly not good news but he has plenty of time.

Hopefully he faces no disturbances in his recovery and he is able to string some games together in the second half of the season.

http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2013-04-16/thumbs-up-for-big-matty/?devdomor=online

Meanwhile, 2012 draftee Nicholas Graham, who suffered a knee injury in the course of the Nab Cup pre-season competition, has been placed on the long-term injury list, joining Andrew McInnes.

Nick Graham
Knee
7-8 weeks

http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2013-04-16/thumbs-up-for-big-matty/?devdomor=online

 

[HARKER]

That's very deceiving as he looked to be getting around pretty well only a few days ago.

You just can't tell on those knees can you?

 

[HARKER]

Nick Graham tweeted that he'd be back for round 11.

Quietly looking forward to see this kid.
Reckon we may just be patting ourselves on the back (or at least just thanking our lucky stars) to have got him at #54

 

[ODNBlue]

I believe he said "Northern Blues round 11, Carlton Blues round 12". Like the attitude.

 

[Bradschi]

I believe he said "Northern Blues round 11, Carlton Blues round 12". Like the attitude.

I thought he just said it to be clear to the supporters cause the VFL is a round slower than the AFL lol

 

[ODNBlue]

I thought he just said it to be clear to the supporters cause the VFL is a round slower than the AFL lol

I'm reminded of a quintessential Australian quote:

"Never let the truth get in the way of a good story."

Read: I like my version better.

 

[HARKER]

Graham now listed as being 3 weeks away from returning.

Really looking forward to what this kid can bring.

 

[Sin City]

I'll be very happy once he's back out on the field for us.

 

[Jeremias]

I'll be very happy once he's back out on the field for us.

You aren't the only one, that's for sure.

Can't help but feel sorry for Nick who likely would have played senior football had he not been struck down with this injury.

Was flying throughout the preseason and making a real impression at the club.

It will be great to see him back out on the park. Can't expect too much from him now though for this season and I'd be content to see him play out the season at VFL level.

 

[BluStreak]

Agreed, content to see him play reserves as there is no reason to rush him back. Would expect to see him in one or two games later in the season just for blooding if he is performing in the twos.

 

[HARKER]

Round 12 return for Graham
http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2013-05-25/graham-gears-up-for-r12-return

He may hail from Gippsland, but Nick Graham’s always seen the wood for the trees.
When his name was called by Shane Rogers at selection 54 overall in last year’s National Draft, the 2012 Morrish Medallist understood the need to move digs to the big smoke (he currently lives in a bungalow in the backyard of his host family’s place in nearby Flemington) to pursue his League career.
“Making that move I think helps you mature a lot quicker than if you’re still sitting at home with your parents,” Graham said this week. “Making the move pretty much forces you to take care of yourself. It puts all the ownership on you.”
Handed the No.32 recently vacated by the former Carlton key position defender Bret Thornton, Graham made an early impression. He was prominent in a couple of intra-club hit-outs at Visy Park and made the cut for the team’s NAB Cup contest against Greater Western Sydney in Blacktown back in February.
But then fate intervened. As he said: “I pulled up reasonably sore after that game, the doctor thought it’d be good to get a scan and the scan revealed torn cartilage”.
In truth, Graham had been in some discomfort with the left knee since copping a knock on it in last year’s TAC Cup prelim against Sandringham – notwithstanding the cyst on his right knee which had swollen to golf ball-size over the past three years.
So with characteristic pragmatism he got both knees done.http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2013-05-25/graham-gears-up-for-r12-return

http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2013-05-25/graham-gears-up-for-r12-returnSounds promising.

 

[T2B_]

Honestly can't wait. He'll be a ripper all going well.

 

[Sin City]

Can't wait to see him back out there.

 

[ferrisb]

What do people see as Graham's ultimate role at Carlton? I didn't watch much pre-season stuff, so have missed out on his Carlton highlights.

Is he potentially a long-term replacement for Carrots? An alternative to/possible upgrade on fringe players like Ellard/Curnow/Bell/Cachia?

Or am I asking too much for a crystal ball? Is it simply enough for now that he is a good tough kid who could make it as a midfielder or HBF...

I guess my question is this - let's say he plays a couple of games in late 2013, early 2014. Obviously it depends on injuries and team structure, but with whom would he be fighting for a place?

 

[HARKER]

Graham now listed at only 2 weeks away from playing his first game for the year which will be through the VFL.

Not expecting much when we finally see Graham but if he can get some fitness up by years end and with a full pre-season behind him....who knows?

 

[Silvagnis]

Nicholas Graham ‏@nickeygraham 1h amazing feeling knowing that ill be pulling the boots again this weekend with @NBluesFC #beenwaytolong #finallyhere

 

[T2B_]

Fantastic

 

[HARKER]

He said round 12 and so it is.
All sounds a little bit planned for mine but if extra recovery time was gained from it, then all good.

Look forward to seeing him in action next week.

 

[zeeCFC]

Fantastic attitude from the kid. Gives us something that most of our youngsters at the moment don't provide and see him playing 10ish games next year. Might sneak a debut this year too.

 

[mediumsizered]

Nicholas Graham ‏@nickeygraham 1h amazing feeling knowing that ill be pulling the boots again this weekend with @NBluesFC #beenwaytolong #finallyhere

I look forward to seeing him in action this week for the Northern Blues.