Almost immediately, Graham's new teammates started calling him "Pussa".
The nickname is more fitting than most.
It highlights Graham's resemblance to former Port Adelaide and Carlton midfielder Nick "Puss" Stevens.
But the link between the blond duo goes way beyond mere looks.
Stevens coached Graham last year at TAC Cup club Gippsland Power and had a profound influence on the youngster.
They also lived around the corner from each other in Traralgon and did extra recovery sessions together. (Graham has since moved to Melbourne.)
Both take the comparison as a compliment.
"A few of the boys at the club think we look the same and play the same. 'Stevo' will hate me saying it but I can’t remember much of him as a player," Graham told AFL.com.au.
"I think Marc Murphy or Andrew Collins started it, and I reckon I'll have it for as long as I'm at Carlton."
Stevens admits: "Yeah, I cop a bit of flak over it – they reckon he's my lovechild. But I'm pretty happy to claim him; he's a great kid with a great future."
Stevens, now 33, sees some similarities between them, describing Graham as a quality ball-user. He also concedes Graham is a far better overhead mark, and regards it as "a huge strength" because it allows him to go forward and kick goals.
"I was speaking to (Blues veteran) Heath Scotland the other day and 'Scotto' said there's no doubt Nick's going to be a real good player with the way he goes about it," Stevens said.
"I'd love him to have a great career, play 200 games, be a club champion and help Carlton become a powerhouse again."
Graham doubts he'd be in the AFL system if it wasn't for his former coach, but Stevens says the 19-year-old is a largely self-made player.
"If anyone's going to make it on pure effort and determination, it'll be Nick," he said. "He's a terrific story."
Graham says he inherited his football ability from his father Brian, who played more than 400 games around Gippsland.
"Dad was a bit of a ball magnet – that's what he tells me anyway," he said. "He had a crack at Footscray but then he fell in love with the old girl so he moved back."
Nick Stevens celebrates a goal in 2008. Picture: AFL Media
Young Nick fell in love with footy at an early age, but also recognised the value of mapping out his future.
The youngest of three Graham boys, he left school at the end of Year 9. It was all part of a plan.
"School wasn't really for me," he said. "I loved the social side of school, but I didn't really like sitting in a classroom. I got distracted."
Over the summer holidays Graham sought out work experience with a cabinet-maker and was soon offered an apprenticeship. His parents were supportive because his brothers had done the same thing before him.
Graham knew that if he was to achieve his dream of being drafted, he wouldn’t have time to complete the full four-year apprenticeship. So he did it in three – the last two while playing in the TAC Cup.
It meant early starts and long days, but three years in the workforce – "the real world", as Stevens terms it – provided many life lessons.
"He's mature beyond his years," Stevens said.
Last year Graham won the Morrish Medal – the TAC Cup's highest individual award – after averaging 25 disposals, six tackles and a goal a game. A Vic Country representative, he was also selected in the TAC Cup Team of the Year.
Graham says none of it would have happened without Stevens, who challenged him to improve his attack on the ball, defensive skills and fitness.
"He went from being a flashy, outside midfielder to one of the hardest players in the TAC Cup, and in the top two contested-ball winners. He's also an outstanding athlete," Stevens said.
"He's like a 25-year-old when it comes to his professionalism. There wouldn’t have been a night last year where he didn’t go to the gym."
Graham also played out last year's TAC Cup finals series with a left knee injury – an effort Stevens marvels at.
"It was an incredible effort, firstly just to play, but also to play so well," he said. "Even as late as a Wednesday you’d think he was no chance to play. He'd train for only 10 minutes each week. In the grand final, when he was basically on one leg, he single-handedly almost got us across the line. It was extraordinary."
In a losing team against Oakleigh Charges in the decider, Graham had 25 touches (22 kicks), laid nine tackles and kicked three goals.
Graham simply explains: "It was drilled into me from a young age that if it's not broken or bleeding, and you’re still breathing, just get up and keep going."
Graham's best mate Tim Membrey was picked up by the Sydney Swans with selection 47 in last year's draft, while Graham had to wait until pick 54. Stevens was surprised Graham went so late, telling the Blues' recruiting manager Shane Rogers, "You've got yourself a beauty there. He's a steal."
Nick Graham enjoys a winning start to his career as a Carlton senior player. Picture: AFL Media
Graham appeared on track for an early-season debut until he suffered a right knee injury during the NAB Cup and missed half the season. He underwent surgery on both knees to repair torn cartilage and remove a cyst, and hasn’t had any issues since.
After missing so much football, Graham expected to play out the season in the VFL and build towards next season. But the goalposts moved quickly because he had the ball on a string from his first game back. In eight VFL outings he averaged 25 disposals and six tackles.
Graham's first game was against Richmond, the club he'd previously supported. Many of the relatives and friends who went to watch him debut at the MCG were also Tigers fans.
The Blues' substitute, Graham entered the fray midway through the third term and was a solid contributor with nine possessions (four contested) at 78 per cent efficiency, two clearances and two tackles.
"It was great to settle in a bit quicker than I thought I would and have a slight impact," he said.
Stevens didn’t see the game live – he was coaching Gippsland at the time – but watched a replay and was proud of what he saw.
Stevens says the only query on Graham is his leg speed, but adds that he's rarely caught because he reads the ball so well.
Graham doesn’t believe it's an issue, citing Hawthorn veteran Sam Mitchell and Blues teammate Brock McLean (Graham's official mentor) as slower players who excel.
"I think you can make up for it if you run smartly and you think one second ahead of everyone," he said.
