Graham set to scorch old turf

He worked on the fields at Dolphin Oval while playing for Redcliffe, and now Canberra Raiders star Phil Graham is keen to make an impression at a former home turf that holds a not-so-fond memory.

Graham, one of the most exciting players in the National Rugby League competition, will return to the Peninsula as the Raiders tackle a combined Redcliffe-Broncos team in a trial match at Dolphin Oval on Saturday night.

Graham, then 20, was part of the Redcliffe side that was beaten on the fulltime siren by Toowoomba in a heartbreaking Queensland Cup Grand Final in 2001 - on the ground he tended to as a trainee groundsman during his two-season stint with the Dolphins.

The fleet footed centre, who scored 13 tries from 16 games during his rookie season with Canberra the following season, said he was looking forward to exorcising his Dolphin Oval demons and catching up with old friends on and off the field this weekend.