Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
9	9	0	3	0	0	9

In December 1953 there was real shock at Post Office Road when news broke of the tragic death of Don Graham at the age of 31.  He was the first Australian ever to play for Featherstone and whilst his spell at the club was short his impact was far, far greater.

It was in May 1947 that Don came from Australia to England to sign for Hunslet, after he had been recommended to this club. In Australia, playing with the St. George's Club, he had gained a reputation of being a second Vic Hey, who was, incidentally, still playing with Hunslet at that time. Hey did in fact help Graham to settle down in England, and he soon made his debut in Hunslet colours on 23rd August l947. From then until December 1950 he made 69 appearances, mainly in the stand-off position, and scored 16 tries. By December 1949, however, his contract was soon due to expire and in a sporting gesture, Hunslet agreed to his joining Featherstone Rovers until his contract ran out, and the transfer forms were completed on 22nd December 1949.

Graham's arrival at Featherstone was unique in itself, in that he was the first Australian to don the Rovers colours. The Rovers team at that time was in the middle of a bad spell, and had had a run of eight successive defeats. Graham soon settled in the centre position, and got down to the serious task of lifting the Club out of the doldrums.  Naturally he did not succeed immediately, but the signs were there in January 1950, when, although we were defeated by 36 points to 7 at Huddersfield, the Fartown crowd rose and cheered the Rovers in at the end of the match because of the spirited and wonderful display. Graham, as captain, had scored his first try for the Club, and he must have been pleased that his efforts were at last moving in the right way. A week Iater the transfer of Freddie Miller was completed, and with a sound foundation behind, Graham was able to concentrate more on attack. A welcome victory was at last obtained over Whitehaven in which Graham scored his second successive try, and the following week he made it three with a try at the Boulevard against Hull. Although the Rovers lost 18-8 to Hull, the improvement in their play was still seen, and gave hope for the Cup-ties.

Drawn against Bramley on the two-leg system in the 1st Round of the R.L. Cup of that season, Featherstone ensured their passage into the 2nd Round with a comfortable 19-5 victory over their opponents in the 1st leg at Post Office Road, and two weeks later registered a league victory over the same opponents. The spirit had now returned to Featherstone, and although the draw for the 2nd Round took the team to Barrow, the confidence was there amongst players and supporters alike. The Barrow match was to be Graham's farewell appearance before he returned to Australia, and many supporters made the long journey into Lancashire to pay their tribute to this player, who in his short career with the Rovers had achieved so much. Appropriately enough, this was to prove to be his match, and although the Rovers were unlucky to lose by 6 points to 2, it would have only been fair if the efforts of Graham on that day had been rewarded by victory. Ron Bailey, who witnessed the game, said he had never seen any player strive as hard as did Don Graham on that day in an effort to win the match for Featherstone. He showed all his brilliance, but it was to no avail, and Featherstone passed out of the Competition.

After the match, the players presented Don with a gold watch, and later the Supporters presented a silver tea service to him - proof indeed of the high esteem in which he was held by everyone at Post Office Road.  He sailed for Australia, and although the Club cabled an offer to him at the beginning of the following season, he did not return, but commenced playing for the Parramatta Club. It was thus a great shock when news of his death was received in December 1953.