‘Infectious’: Stars looking to stick together at Storm
Melissa Woods |
Set to play his 100th NRL match in a Melbourne jersey on Thursday night against Brisbane, Storm skipper Harry Grant says the long-term signing of Jahrome Hughes will influence his own future at the club.
While Grant isn’t off contract until the end of 2026, Melbourne are looking to keep the superstar hooker out of the clutches of the new NRL franchises, Perth Bears and PNG.
Halfback Hughes last week extended his contract until the end of 2030 and Grant said playing alongside the Dally M Medallist was a lure to also remain in Melbourne.
“It definitely does,” said the 27-year-old when asked if the call by Hughes affected his own future.
“Your halfback and a guy that I’ve got a really good relationship with on and off the field, who takes control of the team, is going to perform week in, week out, and has a real want to get better … when you have that in your within your club, it’s pretty infectious.”
Grant said conversations were continuing with Melbourne and would progress when the “time is right”.
“The main thing at the moment is playing good footy, so for me it’s knowing that I’ve got to do whatever it takes to perform and then .. like I said, we’re having those conversations and that’ll come.”
Fellow Storm gun Ryan Papenhuyzen has been linked to the proposed big money breakaway rugby competition R360 although Grant said it wasn’t across his radar.
Rather than spend more dollars keeping a few top players in the NRL, Grant said the focus should be on grassroots.
“It’s probably more of an eye-opener now to put some time into grassroots footy and really look to develop that,” he said.
“There’s so much talent out there that gets missed, that gets lost.
“It’s an opportunity to do that and have a play with that and hopefully that comes to life in a few years.”
Grant has played 114 games, with 15 coming when he was on loan to the Wests Tigers for the 2020 season, with legend Cameron Smith cemented in the No.9 Storm jersey.
The Queensland rake hoped youngster Jonah Pezet could consider such an option, with Hughes in front of him as starting halfback – although the length of the Kiwi Test No.7’s contract could still be an obstacle.
“That was the best thing that I could have done at the time and I’m so grateful for everyone that allowed that to happen,” Grant said.
“The more you’re playing in the NRL the better.
“If it benefits all three parties then it’s such a good thing.”
AAP
