It’s not often a team can feature an Origin-winning five eighth, a modern legend who could come into immortal conversations, a current Queensland Origin player and a number of emerging origin players with over 100 NRL games to their name and yet their best player has yet to play ten first grade games – but that’s the Wests Tigers for you.
Most pundits predicted Harry Grant would be a good pick up for the Tigers, few would have envisioned him sitting second on the Dally M chart with ten points from just five appearances. But in reality his influence on this team has extended far beyond racking up those points.
Grant’s input has completely changed the way the Tigers play. For years they’ve been known as a team that likes to throw the ball around – or perhaps more accurately; they’re a team that had to due to the perception of a soft middle.
But now, it is Grant who continues to expose the opposition through that zone, with a perfect understanding of when to run, impeccable service and the ability to constantly draw markers.
The single greatest change that’s occurred for this team since coach Michael Maguire put the broom through the side following the Titans match, is not Josh Reynolds or Luke Brooks taking a more dominant role in the absence of Marshall – it’s that Grant has been identified as the director and star.
Could Harry Grant get a JT-like deal? (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
He’s a genuine nine and honestly, they’re few and far between over the past decade in the NRL.
As it stands, this is a player who’s influence on his team should already cater enormous sums of money. Put into perspective that he’s only 22, and has just seven games to his name and the room for growth is enormous. Typically I hate the idea of contracting players based on potential (hello Luke Brooks), but as ridiculous as it sounds Grant has already shown enough this season alone to warrant a Jason Taumalolo type deal.
Steven ‘Blocka’ Roach may have been leaning into hyperbole when eh proclaimed the club should make Grant a Tiger for life, but, he’s actually spot on.
There’s a handful of players you can name that clubs have attempted to build their team around – Kalyn Ponga for the Knights, Mitchell Moses for the Eels, Nathan Cleary for the Panthers. Sometimes the club gets it right (like the aforementioned) and success that hasn’t been seen in a long time flows.
Get it wrong and it can be catastrophic – take the Titans. But at the end of the day every team needs a talisman to at least attempt to build around. Grant is a player who has now achieved such status and the Tigers need to pounce.
If it requires moving heaven and earth, brain washing Cameron Smith, tearing up Paul Momorovski’s permanent return or throwing some more players to the Storm – the Tigers need to lock up Grant, and do so long term and with an open cheque book. Bring on the next ten-year ten million dollar man, he is that good.
Josh
Roar Rookie
Very good player, but definitely number 3 in Melbourne, Brandon Smith better in all facets of the game and the reason why he has played very little first grade. That said if the Tigers could get him, he would be a key part of their spine for a long time.
Albo
Roar Rookie
100% James. I have to say that I have rarely watched a more frustrating player than Luke Brooks. I’ve never seen a halfback make so many mistakes , throw poor passes and take so many wrong options. He has some ability , but rarely delivers.
Adam
Roar Guru
But at least some of the other teams would forfeit!
Nat
Roar Rookie
Yeah, good times... :laughing: :laughing:
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
"Looks like every off-contract player is heading there..." ....if the rumours were correct we'd have a squad of about 90 by now (with 7 to 8 coaches)! Absolute nonsense.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
"I’ve been a Grant fan since he came to the Falcons.." Well Nat you did predict a Tiger's win with a MoTM performance by young Harry on Sunday and he certainly ripped us apart. An exceptional talent. Credit where credit's due! (.....damn you!) ;)
Joe
Roar Rookie
I watched his passing game closely over the last few weeks, always on the money and right in front of his runners or halves. As the first pass in an attacking move it puts them on the front foot right from the get go. If GOAT wants to play next year he should move to the halves…did all right there last weekend but then again was against the Warriors so wasn’t tested. I’d like to see them try that against a better team like this week against the Roosters.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
Thats true, but a mill a season for what will be a 20 gamer is ridiculous. I get the Tigers need players like him, but the game will catch up with him at some point. He's worth a dig at $500k for two years, and keep some cap space free to upgrade if he delivers.
James Preston
Roar Guru
The difference is Ash Taylor had not shown anything near the level that Grant has. His purchase was more on the fear of a lack of quality half backs at the time.
James Preston
Roar Guru
Plenty of good points mate, I fear though that Brooks is a protected species. Grant could deliver a 30m cut out pass to his chest at speed and Brooks drops it with the line open and Tigers coaching collective minds it would be viewed as "but the ball was greasy from the surface"...sigh. Arguably the best thing about Grant is that he's reduced the impact of the halves with the way he plays - direct and controlling of the overall team style/direction; it's almost as if the halves are now surplus. I'm hopeful but I think the Storm would be him go...I also can't see Smith rolling over quietly though.
James Preston
Roar Guru
Haha that would be BJ's self assessment :laughing: That is most definitely in relation to the legend, one B Marshall!
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
No player should be given a million dollars for their second NRL deal. Look at what it did to Ash Taylor...
Albo
Roar Rookie
It will be very interesting to see how the Storm handle this issue. If the GOAT wants to play another year do they give up Grant ? Surely not ? I think he is the hottest property in the NRL right now. Touch wood he doesn't run into injury troubles in the years ahead and I don't think he has any commitment issue in his game. He has so many similarities to Cam Smith. Tough, a great defender, great pass delivery, good runner of the ball and even cover defends out wide like Smith if danger appears out there. He is giving Brookes and Reynolds such great service & early ball, there is no excuse for these two not to perform well.
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
a modern legend who could come into immortal conversations Someone has high hopes for BJ Leilua..... :silly: :silly:
Joe
Roar Rookie
I had no doubt Grant was going to be a massive success. I had mentioned this story previously but I live midway between Tigers territory and Eels territory and always talking league with a couple of Tigers fans. When the swap was announced they were adamant the Storm were getting the better side of the deal as Momirovski had played PMs 13 last year and they hadn't even heard of Harry Grant. I told them by mid year they would be hoping he'd be contracted permanently. Sure enough that's exactly where they're at now. With the new rules the 9 is the new king and Harry Grant is one heckuva 9.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
So if CS plays 1 more year then Grant is free to negotiate with other clubs. This is the tigers big test to see if they finally have their front office right or they are just happy being also rans.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I've been a Grant fan since he came to the Falcons. Like you say, it's refreshing to see a specialist hooker go about his business. If I have one criticism, he may take one too many staeps from dummy on occasion. Robbie was also a specialist at that but you have to be very good as not to have the forward over-run or have to slow up to receive. When his forwards learn to stay half a pace back should rectify that. Agree with TB above though, those JT13-like extended deals are fraught with danger, especially at the value. I have no doubt Grant will earn what he deserves but I would say 3yrs with an option is a smarter buy. You can always go up, you cannot go retract these deals. He'll be value no matter where or how much but let him earn it without going 'Titans' on him.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I’m looking forward to the Dogs 2021 team. Looks like every off-contract player is heading there and I’m sure the Ennis/Bennett coaching rumours are on the money. If nothing else, at least they made Manly pay up to keep the tjurbo bros.
The Barry
Roar Guru
People that had seen him play Qld cup had spoken highly of him and he’s made the transition to NRL seamlessly. It takes special players to do that I’m not a fan of the ten year, million bucks deals. Particularly for the really young players - they can lead to a loss of hunger and desire. But otherwise I agree, this kid is worth taking a risk on I read the other day the Bulldogs were interested. He’d be insane to sign with us, but I’ve got everything crossed that it’s true