Expansion clubs unlikely to prise star duo from Storm
Joel Gould |
Melbourne representative stars Harry Grant and Xavier Coates have been touted as prime targets for expansion clubs but the Storm remain favourites to ward off poaching raids.
Captain and hooker Grant, along with flying winger Coates, both spoke in Queensland camp about their current club in such a fashion that it dispelled the notion they would be leaving to join Perth Bears or the PNG-based club, who will enter the NRL in 2027 and 2028 respectively.
Coates, 24, is an interesting one as he is a PNG Kumul international who was born in Port Moresby. The 19th NRL team, based in the rugby league-mad nation, would have the tryscoring machine at the top of their list of potential recruits.
“I don’t know how it’s going to work to be honest. I know rugby league is a massive sport in PNG, it’s the national sport, so getting a massive fan base around them won’t be a trouble at all,” Coates said.
“It would be great to see a lot of players go to PNG and play for them. I don’t know the whole gist of starting up an NRL club or anything like that, I am just focused on my time in Melbourne.”
Coates is off contract at the end of next year but AAP has been told the Storm are determined to keep him after he has become such a standout since his move from Brisbane in 2022.
“I am happy with my time in Melbourne so I’m not focusing too far ahead,” Coates said when asked if he intended to stay.
“They are a great club and they have helped me out so much. They have done a lot for me.”
Bears coach Mel Meninga is well aware of Grant’s class, having coached the 2022 World Cup winner previously for Australia.
The Test rake is also off contract at the end of next year and the Storm are determined to ensure the 27-year-old goes nowhere.
Grant said he was in no rush to get a deal done, with the Origin decider days away, but he has a strong relationship with all the movers and shakers at the club.
“I haven’t had those conversations too much yet. (Origin) is a period we have got to navigate,” Grant said.
“I wanted to get through the chunk of the season. We have good owners down at Melbourne, a good board, CEO and recruitment team that I have a good relationship with.
“They are pretty comfortable with the conversations when they take place.
“The Storm are such a good club with so many good people in it that it’s a good environment to be in.
“The longer you are in those environments the happier you are and the better footy you play.”
AAP
