Grant Storm’s third skipper in three seasons
The Melbourne Storm will have a third captain in as many years after the club announced representative hooker Harry Grant as its skipper for the 2024 season.
Grant becomes the Storm’s 15th captain and replaces Christian Welch, who took over from Jesse Bromwich last year, with the 25-year-old joining an elite group to have captained the club.
It’s the start of a new era for the talented No.9 given club legend Cameron Smith captained the side for 13 seasons while he was also a co-captain in 2006 and 2007.
Melbourne’s leadership group for 2024 is very spineheavy, with halves Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster named vicecaptains, while fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen is joined by forwards Josh King and Tui Kamikamica in the six-man leadership group that will be overseen by coaching coordinator Jason Ryles.
Grant, a Queensland and Australia representative, has played 62 matches for the Storm and was one of three vice-captains in 2023 in a year in which he was crowned Dally M Hooker of the Year.
His rise to the top caps an incredible journey at the Storm that started with him dominating junior sides.
Then, in 2020, instead of being stuck behind Smith, who led the team to premiership glory in his final season, Grant was sent on loan to the Wests Tigers where he gained valuable experience.
“It really is an honour to be given the opportunity to lead this group of players and our club,” Grant said.
“We have had some legends captain the Storm and for my name to be listed next to someone like Cameron Smith, Robbie Kearns, Stephen Kearney and so many others is surreal.
“Welchy has done an incredible job over the last two seasons and I know I can lean on him for advice and support, along with Munster and Hughesy standing next to me.
“We have some great players and natural leaders in the group and I can’t wait to get stuck into the season with them.”