He turns 31 today and has two young hookers nipping at his heels, but Granville is not giving up in the... FIGHT FOR THE NINE
SINCE arriving from the Brisbane Broncos ahead of the 2015 NRL season, Jake Granville has had a vice grip on the Cowboys’ number nine jersey.
His blinding speed out of dummyhalf and swift decision making meant opposition markers couldn’t afford to switch off.
But now young guns Reece Robson and Reuben Cotter are applying the heat on the premiership winner.
Granville said he’s enjoyed having the duo keep him on his toes.
“Robbo’s training good, so’s Rubes. It’s good to have that competition in all the roles,” Granville said.
“If I can help in any way with both the boys’ games I try out a bit.
“In saying so I’m learning off them young fellas too, everyone’s got a different attribute.”
Despite Robson signing a fouryear deal with the club and many experts tipping the former Endeavour Sports High School student to be a future representative player, Granville said he would not give up easily.
“That’s the position I play and I’m just looking to put my best foot forward this pre-season,” he said.
With Scott Drinkwater and Jake Clifford fighting tooth and nail to partner Michael Morgan in the halves, Granville said his style of play from the ruck wouldn’t change depending on who got the nod.
“They’re both strong runners of the footy and both real competitors,” he said. “They’re training well and whoever gets picked will do a good job.”
Granville, who turned 31 today, recently overcame a minor hamstring injury to rejoin the main squad.
He said he wasn’t concerned his hamstring would become an issue as he delved into his eighth season in the top grade.
With the loss of Matt Scott and Scott Bolton from the forward pack, the Rockhampton-born rake understood he would need to take on more responsibility on the front lines.
“I’d like to work on that role there within the team and just that game management in crucial moments,” Granville said. “I think that’s the area I can help out with the boys.”
Speculation mounted in the offseason that the Sea Eagles were keen on the dummy-half’s services after losing Apisai Koroisau to Penrith and Manase Fainu facing legal troubles, but Granville said he had no interest in heading to Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
“I don’t really read too much media. As far as I know I’m staying here until the end of next year and like I said before I’m just going to put my best foot forward for the Cowboys, train well and hopefully start the season good,” he said.
Granville said he’d enjoyed playing in the NRL Nines in New Zealand a few years ago and would be excited to head to Perth next weekend if selected in the squad by Paul Green.