Grant on cloud nine as Maroons switch rakes, target 3-0

Joel Gould | July 3, 2023

Queensland coach Billy Slater has pulled a positional switch and moved Harry Grant to starting hooker as the Maroons target the first State of Origin clean sweep since 2010.

Melbourne hooker Grant has been named at No.9 and fellow rake Ben Hunt on the bench for game three of the series in Sydney on July 12.

It is the first time the speedy Grant has been named as a starting hooker since game one of 2021.

The switch suggests the Maroons may play a more expansive and quick style as they seek to gain the ascendancy over NSW on enemy territory.

“We just feel this is a good opportunity for Harry to start the game and bring Ben off the bench,” Slater said.

“It might look like a big change but in the scheme of things they are both our number nines, they complement each other well and they will be both on the field at some stage.

“They have done a fantastic job swapping and interchanging during the game.”

The 18th and 19th men from game two – AJ Brimson and Corey Horsburgh – come into the side as starting fullback and bench forward respectively to replace the suspended Reece Walsh and injured Tom Flegler (foot).

Slater was player of the match in game three in 2010 when Queensland beat NSW 23-18 to sweep the series when Darren Lockyer was captain.

No series has been decided 3-0 since.

Five-eighth Cameron Munster told AAP after the 32-6 win in game two that a clean sweep was the one goal he wanted to achieve in Origin football and spoke of his desire to inflict “a terrible time for NSW”.

Queensland hopes the desire to win 3-0 will prevent any complacency from entering their camp.

“I mentioned going into game two that this team is just getting started and they certainly aren’t at the destination right now,” Slater said.

“We have to go down to NSW and if we earn the result it will be a clean sweep.

“To be honest, this team has created a great foundation to their footy and they are still seeking improvement and a higher level of footy.

“Our focus will be how we manage to be better and bring out more of our strengths in our players.”