Graham feared his torn posterior cruciate ligament would require surgery after he crashed to the turf during the third quarter of the Tigers’ win against Corowa-Rutherglen at Albury Sportsground last weekend.

He also suffered further ligament damage and a torn calf in the ruck contest.

“I’m sort of happy with the outcome as I thought I might need surgery which would mean I would miss the whole season,” Graham said.

“The specialist said I’ll wear a knee brace for four or five weeks and hopefully get back to playing in eight to 10 weeks.

“If I needed surgery I was done.”

Graham, who played 48 AFL matches during stints with Richmond and Adelaide, said he was eager to return to the playing arena as soon as possible to help Albury in its bid for successive flags.

They also have co-coach Chris Hyde, co-captain Luke Daly and full-back Jay Koehler on the injured list for tonight’s clash against Wangaratta at Norm Minns Oval.

The 201-centimetre giant said he was enjoying his transition from the AFL to Ovens and Murray before his injury setback.

“I wasn’t having the best game at the weekend but it’s been good and I have enjoyed being around the boys,” he said. 

“It’s disappointing but that’s footy.

“It’s funny how things go sometimes because I have been in the ruck and around the AFL for nine years and never did a PCL and in my second game in the Ovens and Murray I did a classic ruckman’s injury.

“You want to be playing in the second-half of the season though and I’ll be back for that.”