JAMES Graham says he had no intention to seriously injure South Sydney half-back Adam Reynolds while also revealing his personal plan to ensure last Friday’s heated confrontation with NRL match officials never happens again.

The Canterbury Bulldogs captain added that his angry outburst in the dying minutes of last Friday’s dramatic one-point loss to the Rabbitohs wasn’t to blame for the ugly fan violence which resulted in NRL match officials being pelted with bottles.

media_camera A touch judge is hit by a bottle as Bulldogs CEO Raelene Castle watches on.

Graham’s verbal of the match referees have raised the ire of fans and commentators — with calls he should be stripped of the captaincy — after he was penalised for taking out Reynolds’ legs as the Souths playmaker attempted to land a field-goal.

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The decision was deemed correct after the match by NRL referees boss Tony Archer, but during the match a confused and furious Graham was of the belief the penalty should never been blown.

As Reynolds underwent scans on Saturday with fears he will be sidelined for between three and four months, Graham explained to The Sunday Telegraph how the drama-charged incident unfolded.

It's embarrassing for me to admit, but I don't know what the rules are

“I’m at marker, I get the sense they’re going to have a shot at field goal to make it 17-a-piece and I’ve just gone to put pressure on him and I’ve dove at the ball,’’ Graham said.

“It’s embarrassing for me to admit, but I don’t know what the rules are.

“I’ve just purely and utterly gone to get some contact on the ball to try and ricochet it and basically make it not go over the posts.

media_camera dam Reynolds receives attention from the trainers after being tackled late by James Graham.

“I haven’t seen the replays, but I think anyone that watches it can genuinely see that I’ve gone for the ball.

“I have not in anyway shape or form, gone to attack his legs. I’ve gone to attack the ball.

“Obviously it’s not good (that Reynolds is injured). I don’t like people seeing get injured in any time in the game, but as I said there was no intent to cause any damage.

“There was no plan, there was no malice, it was an accident. I’ve gone to charge the ball down.

“I’m upset that Adam is going to be spending some time on the sidelines — that was never my intent at all. I hate seeing players get injured.’’

Graham refuted suggestions he lost control or that he swore at referee Gerard Sutton.

“As a captain, I’m the voice of my team,’’ Graham said.

“But at no point do I think I questioned the referee’s integrity, there were things I wanted to say, but I didn’t.

“I make a conscious effort not to swear. That’s just something that you learn from a very young age, being a rugby league player.

media_camera Referee Gerard Sutton talks to David Klemmer and James Graham. pic Mark Evans

People may say 'he's lost control' but...at the time there was definitely an element of control

“I know when I go into a game I make an effort not to use profanities at the officials.

“People may say he’s lost control, but towards the end of the game, there’s still an element of self control in my interaction with the referees.

“At the time, there was definitely an element of control.’’

Graham admitted he would work on how he would approach match referees in the future.

He has also spoken with Bulldogs coach Des Hasler about working on his body language.

“In hindsight now, you just get on with it, but at the time you’re trying to get that point across.

“I’m always looking to learn, looking to better myself, so if I can do that as a captain and Raelene and Des want to help me in that way then that’s great.

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“Stakes are high, emotions are high and that’s not an excuse for questioning the referees decision because really, he’s not going to change his mind.

“He’s made the decision and that’s final and we all know that, but even when you feel there’s a wrong and the game is close, it doesn’t excuse harassing the referees at the end.

“It’s obviously not good behaviour, its not a good look.

“It goes against everything a rugby league player is taught — that the referee’s decision is final and you respect the decision whether you believe its right or wrong.

“It’s a waste for me and it’s a waste for my teammates to put energy into that. There was still one minute on the clock, where had we got the ball back, we had spent so much energy doing that instead of having an effect on the last minute of play.

“It’s probably better to harness our energies somewhere else.’’

Such was the volatility on the playing field and in the stands of ANZ Stadium during the tense tussle, Graham’s outburst has been fingered as the trigger-point for some of the most disturbing scenes and anti-social behaviour witnessed at a rugby league match in decades.

media_camera Referees pelted with bottles as Raelene Castle checks on an injured official.

Graham said the entire situation could’ve been handled better.

“I can’t tell you what people are thinking at that time — but we all have self control,’’ Graham said.

“I’ve been at many sporting arenas where the crowd has been passionate, but at no point have I felt the need to hurl something.

“It's a referee, it's a sporting event,

“As a player I love the passion of the fans, I love how dedicated our fans are, but in no way can you condone items or bottles being thrown at the match officials.

“Its not good, you’ve got to have the self control.’’