Graham re-signs with the Cowboys

The NRL’s leading tryscorer in 2012, winger Ashley Graham, will stay with North Queensland until at least the end of the 2013 NRL season after agreeing to a one-year contract extension.

A Cowboy since 2006 and last year’s Paul Bowman Medal recipient for Cowboy of the Year, Graham has been in career-best form over the past two seasons and was a priority signing for North Queensland, according to General Manager – Football Peter Parr.

Graham, who has formed a great combination with Origin centre Brent Tate on the right side of the Cowboys’ attack, has crossed for 13 tries in 14 matches this season, including a hat-trick against Parramatta and doubles against South Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra.

He has now played 137 NRL matches for North Queensland – the seventh most in the history of the Cowboys - to take his career total to 178 appearances.

“There’s no doubt that Ash has been in career-best form for the Cowboys over the past two seasons,” Parr said.

“When he gets the ball with a try beckoning, we feel very confident he’s going to do the job.

“He’s been with the club for seven seasons now and continues to improve.

“I think you can put a lot of that down to his professionalism. There are very few players in this game who prepare themselves to play as well as Ash does.

“At 28, we’re sure Ash is going to be a contributor for some time to come.”

The winger’s try total in 2012 has him two ahead of his nearest chasers, Melbourne’s Billy Slater and the Bulldogs’ Josh Morris, and he is also fourth in the NRL for most line breaks.

Graham’s decision to re-sign adds to the retention of Glenn Hall, Ashton Sims, Gavin Cooper and Ray Thompson, whose contract extensions were finalised last month.