Grant puts Origin No.9 bogey to bed ahead of decider
Joel Gould |
Harry Grant proved he belongs as a starting hooker for Queensland in the State of Origin arena in Perth but he now wants to back it up with another elite display in the decider.
Heading into game two of the series, won 26-24 by the Maroons, Grant had a 0-4 record as a starting No.9 and a 6-2 history coming off the bench.
He is Australia’s No.9 and the starting hooker for Melbourne but he had a point to prove in WA’s capital after critics said he should revert to the Maroons’ bench.
Grant dispelled the doubters with a strong running and passing game that put Queensland on top.
“I think everyone has a narrow focus and I understood what that looked like for me,” Grant said.
“I just had to knuckle down and make sure I was doing that well. It felt like that was there in game two, but the challenge is doing that again.
“You want to be there (as a starting hooker) but you have also got to perform. I understand that.
“I think my biggest trait is effort. As long as long am giving effort every week and not leaving anything in the tank in that regard I know I can come away and work on execution and decision making.
“As soon as I stop giving effort that’s when I’ll be into myself.”
No-one could accuse Grant of lacking effort. He has always been willing and able but also agreed he had to showcase a marked improvement in Perth.
“There is an individual motivation and a collective motivation,” he said.
“I think everyone tapped into that in game two. It’s important that we build on that performance and know what we did well and what we did wrong and try and iron out a good performance for Wednesday night.”
The Maroons’ spine suits the way Grant likes to play. Halves Cameron Munster and Tom Dearden are run-first playmakers while new fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is the ultimate running fullback who Grant can count on to be running off his hip.
“It is a good spine to work with. We are going to have to recreate that this week during our sessions and meetings,” Grant said.
“When you have Munster and Tommy who are really strong runners of the ball and then Hammer has got such a genuine feel for the game and always pops up in the right place at the right time and is just so electric with his speed, we can control our games.
“In saying that it’s a well-rounded picture. Everyone else does their job and it’s a flow-on effect.”
Grant won his first two Origin deciders, on debut in 2020, and again in 2022. He knows what it takes to prevail when the pressure is on.
“With deciders you put yourself where you want to be. You want to be having a chance of winning the (series),” he said.
“It is about focusing on the week and preparation and what you need to do for the team in the game and hopefully the result takes care of itself.”
AAP
