After making a successful return to the NRL with a two-try performance against the Dolphins, Campbell Graham was eyeing off a rivalry round bout against the Roosters.
Graham was sidelined for much of 2025 – and all of 2024 – with a string of injuries, playing his last game in Round 18 last year. He returned to the NRL on the right wing, instantly making an impact with his first try in the second minute of the match.
Campbell Graham Try
“Felt good to be back out there with the boys, felt fit, coming off a pre-season,” Graham said.
“It's just nice to see all the work that you put in over the four months as a group come together.
“Obviously there's things that we can improve on, but we knew we wouldn't be perfect coming into the first game of the year, so it's definitely something we can build off.”
As well as the return of key players from injury, new recruits Bronson Garlick and in particular David Fifita impressed, with the former Maroons representative picking up a vote in the Dally M tally for the match.
“I thought he was really good … I thought across the park the boys were good,” Graham said.
“We weren't perfect, but we didn't expect to be in Round 1, so, Dave's in the same boat.
“I thought he showed us glimpses of how good he can be for us and how good he will be for us this year and I'm sure he'll build off that.
“He's shown a bit of his skill in the pre-season, long passes, a few kicks here and there, so he's got it all in the bag for a big fella.
“He's very impressive and he's probably been one of our best this pre-season, to be honest, it's the way he's attacked it.
“You can tell he had a chip on his shoulder coming into the pre-season and he’s looking really fit.”
Campbell Graham 2nd Try
With the Round 1 win under the belt, Graham said the team were looking to build on that success, but he had “absolutely” circled their Round 2 grudge match on Friday night against Roosters as an important game.
“Absolutely, I feel like this is the in-season game of the year for us,” Graham said.
“It's come early, but we're very excited, especially at Allianz …
“I suppose it's our away game, but it feels like a home game for us as well, because it's in our backyard.
“It's definitely a game that I personally look forward to most and expecting a great atmosphere out there on Friday.”
The feeling was similar for Rabbitohs fullback Jye Gray.
“For sure, we like getting one over them and it's exciting,” Gray said.
“They're a great team and we're going to have to be on our best game.”
It is also a game that could hold even more importance for the fans overall, with Bunnies cult hero Alex Johnston now only two tries away from breaking Ken Irvine’s longstanding try-scoring record of 212.
The PNG Kumuls winger crossed for try 211 in the game against the Dolphins and could have potentially had a few more in a high-scoring match at Suncorp Stadium.
“I thought maybe the record could be broken today (against the Dolphins),” Gray said.
“He's itching for it, but it will come, it'll come for sure.
“He's a great player and you could see that, even in defence, he does a job and, and it's awesome.”
Match: Roosters v Rabbitohs
Round 2 -
home Team
Roosters
14th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
6th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
