Hooking in to Origin dreams
HE’S the new king of Leichhardt and the outright Dally M leader — next up for star Tiger Harry Grant is landing the Queensland hooking spot amid the hottest field in Maroons history.
Grant has enjoyed a stellar opening to his first grade career and on Thursday night he’ll lock horns with one of his rivals for the Queensland throne in exciting Parra hooker Reed Mahoney.
The 22-year-old Grant has fast become a fan favourite at the Tigers with the small but vocal crowd at Leichhardt Oval chanting his name as he left the field after another blinder in last week’s 48-0 win over the Broncos.
“He told me on the weekend, because they were chanting (his) name, does that mean I’m taking over as the king?’ and then he went and sat on the scoreboard, took a photo and sent it to Robbie (Farah) and said he’s taking over for Robbie too,” Tigers veteran Benji Marshall said.
“He acts quiet and shy, but behind the scenes he’s giving it to us.
“He’s a great player and he’s actually a really good person. We like having good people around.”
Despite playing just two NRL games in the two seasons before this year, Grant has fast become one of the best hookers in the competition.
Marshall has been impressed by Grant’s poise and maturity, as well as his willingness to improve his game.
“Keen to learn, very professional, does all the little things. He won’t say it, but he analyses the game very closely, how he can manipulate the ruck, he’s quite smart in that area,” Marshall said.
“He brings a lot to the table when we start talking about our game plans and stuff, for a young guy it’s pretty impressive. He’s an undercover footy head who pretends he’s not. His thing is ‘I’m just a surfie guy’ but he’s not, he’s in there doing a lot of work with our attack coach and Madge (Michael Maguire) about how he can be better.
“That’s the sign of a young player who’s going to be around for a while, the keen ones who don’t think they know everything.”
But for all his ability, Grant won’t have an easy walk into a Maroons jersey for the end of year Origin series.
Since Cameron Smith’s representative retirement two years ago the Maroons have used Andrew McCullough and Ben Hunt at dummy half, but in Grant and Mahoney they have two players who will be fighting it out for the spot for years to come.
Legendary Maroons rake Steve Walters believes Queensland’s hooking depth is the best it’s been in Origin history, with Grant and Mahoney leading the charge.
“I’ve never seen Queensland’s hooking stocks as good as they are this year,” Walters said.
“Harry Grant is going great, Reed Mahoney at Parramatta is having a terrific season as well, Jake Friend is Roosters captain and a leading player and Ben Hunt, who hasn’t got too much of a mention as far as hooker is concerned, bear in mind he won Queensland player of the series last year. Any one of those guys, in my opinion, would do a great job.”
While Mahoney doesn’t have Grant’s attacking numbers, he’s become a key element of Parramatta’s attack this year due to his excellent service from dummy half.
The Eels like to move the ball and play with tremendous width, and it’s due in no small part to Mahoney’s ability to throw long, accurate passes with almost no wind-up.
“He’s got a beautiful pass, it’s real crisp, straight in front, and I think it really helps Parramatta with the way they play,” Walters said.
“They’re outside those first couple of defenders and it’s right in front of them there. That’s his biggest strength, he’s a tough little bugger and he’s always in the game, but he’s got a good, flat, long pass.”
As for Grant, Walters has been impressed by his composure in attack and fitness in defence.
“He reads the game well, he’s a good athlete. He’s in great shape and he’s certainly in the game for the full 80 minutes,” Walters said.
“He looks very comfortable there (at the Tigers). He looks like he’s been playing there for years. He’s settled in really quickly and seems very comfortable, as if he’s meant to be there.”