GRANVILLE HITS RESET BUTTON

IT WAS not quite a case of reinventing himself, but Jake Granville certainly went back to basics in his time off the field.

The longstanding Cowboys rake used his time out of the top 17 to simplify his game plan and attempt to return to the running game that made him so dangerous in the club’s run to the premiership in 2015.

It was also a chance for the 31-year-old to connect with the Cowboys’ emerging crop of players, giving advice and support in their hunt for first-grade opportunities.

Granville worked alongside Cowboys development chief Ben Jeffries in the extended squad, and the extra efforts around skills and fitness showed in his return to the field on Sunday.

While the Cowboys struggled against the Titans, Granville’s impact off the bench was a rare shining light at Cbus Super Stadium, even forcing coach Josh Hannay to rethink his strategy.

“My plan was not to play him for that long, my plan was to get Robbo (Reece Robson) back out there 15 minutes after the break but (Granville) was going so well that he deserved to stay out there,” Hannay said.

“I think he was nearly our best on the day.”

Granville is just hoping he can translate that into Saturday’s showdown with the Rabbitohs and NSW Blues hooker Damien Cook.

The Rockhampton product showed his spark out of dummy-half with his quick footwork and desire to get the ball up and over the advantage line.

“I think I went away from (my running game) a little bit,” Granville said. “The way the game has gone too, there is a lot of ruck speed and not too much wrestling.

“There is a few guys in our team that can carry strong and get you a quick play the ball. If an opportunity presents itself, you have to take it.

“I just tried to go out there and play my natural game (against the Titans). It was a bit of a reset and refresh for me.

“I have just been trying to simplify my game, try to get out there and do my role.”