Harry Grant
- Thread starter trentrunciman
- Start date
Some of this stuff is stuff comical. The same people on this forum blowing about always coming 9th want to boot a top 5 hooker for a teenager with no experience and an injury prone proved very little player. Crazy crazy.
If we get Harry this year and next you take it. No different then signing a two year contract
If we get Harry this year and next you take it. No different then signing a two year contract
gallagher
Well-known member
@JoshColeman99 said in [Harry Grant](/post/1182638) said:
Absolutely.
gallagher
Well-known member
@hodgo said in [Harry Grant](/post/1182639) said:
My issue is that it would be a1 year deal in 21 with no chance of him being here in 22.
That's not building a roster, it's short term thinking.
@gallagher said in [Harry Grant](/post/1182643) said:
When Liddle can’t stay on the field and Simpkin is still a teenager, its a good option. We get a short term fix with a top quality hooker and let our young guy develop another year that’s long term thinking. Smart business all around.
Grant has been great no doubt about it however, he is short term with only a very slim chance of staying.
His game was off against the Bunnies before Madge subbed him. Quite often he stifled the attack by taking the wrong option. You could put it down to a lack of experience or over confidence however, what it highlights is he still has a way to go. I have seen many players shine in their debut season only to struggle the following year. Not saying this is what will happen with Grant and he maybe the exception but he is still a work in progress.
I thought Liddle was going to be our long term option at 9 and look at what injuries have done to him. Can’t bank on single players, depth is the key to a good squad and our cap has been hamstrung by shoddy recruitment and decisions made by previous coaches and management.
Having said all of that I would like to see him stay.
His game was off against the Bunnies before Madge subbed him. Quite often he stifled the attack by taking the wrong option. You could put it down to a lack of experience or over confidence however, what it highlights is he still has a way to go. I have seen many players shine in their debut season only to struggle the following year. Not saying this is what will happen with Grant and he maybe the exception but he is still a work in progress.
I thought Liddle was going to be our long term option at 9 and look at what injuries have done to him. Can’t bank on single players, depth is the key to a good squad and our cap has been hamstrung by shoddy recruitment and decisions made by previous coaches and management.
Having said all of that I would like to see him stay.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
We’re basically a surrogate mother carrying the Storm’s baby to term.
Fade.To.Black
Well-known member
@GNR4LIFE said in [Harry Grant](/post/1182665) said:
I wonder what doorstep the stork will drop Harry on at Storm HQ. The front or the one at the rear where the contracts are stored?
jirskyr
Well-known member
@hodgo said in [Harry Grant](/post/1182639) said:
I don't think it's quite so comical. Harry Grant is about 8 FG games ahead of Simpkin in his career.
Grant is going great and I do hope they find a way to keep him around that doesn't jeopardise Simpkin, because this situation has a real Tedesco-Papenhuyzen contracts feel about it. Simpkin is on the books until end of 2022, so he has plenty of time left.
I don't buy into all this media nonsense about Grant going to win the Dally M or play hooker for QLD - he's still too green. It's very possible that Grant cannot keep the energy or concentration levels up and his form plateaus. I'm super careful about excessively talking up players after half a season, because so many bright sparks have gone as quickly as they have arrived.
AdelaideTiger
Well-known member
Grant will not play hooker for QLD this year, I think Ben Hunt will get first Crack followed by Reed Mahoney. But they would be fools not to invite him into camp.
Grant has a GIANT engine, good tackling technique and is very accurate passing from DH, his running game is okay and his kicking game needs work (that was blatantly obvious from last weeks game).
Liddle has a good running game, is accurate from DH, has a BAD kicking game (particularly close to the line) and will need to prove that he can carry his extra weight around the pitch. He will get an opportunity when fit but it will take some time.
From all reports Simpkins is the full package, but as many have correctly stated on here before, he is yet to even play big minutes in reserve grade let alone a minute of FG, so he could be anything.
At the end of the day I think Harry goes back next year and Liddle will be the 1st choice 9. He will get every opportunity to show his worth behind what will likely be a top 4 forward pack and if he can't Simpkins will be waiting in the wings.
Grant has a GIANT engine, good tackling technique and is very accurate passing from DH, his running game is okay and his kicking game needs work (that was blatantly obvious from last weeks game).
Liddle has a good running game, is accurate from DH, has a BAD kicking game (particularly close to the line) and will need to prove that he can carry his extra weight around the pitch. He will get an opportunity when fit but it will take some time.
From all reports Simpkins is the full package, but as many have correctly stated on here before, he is yet to even play big minutes in reserve grade let alone a minute of FG, so he could be anything.
At the end of the day I think Harry goes back next year and Liddle will be the 1st choice 9. He will get every opportunity to show his worth behind what will likely be a top 4 forward pack and if he can't Simpkins will be waiting in the wings.
hammertime
Well-known member
If anything, the talk from Grant is going to give Cameron and the Storm comfort to play an extra year. At which point, he'll have the option to pull the contract.
The less media pressure and speculation on the Storm, the better.
The less media pressure and speculation on the Storm, the better.
Fade.To.Black
Well-known member
@AdelaideTiger said in [Harry Grant](/post/1182689) said:
Well said.
Definitely don't think we will have a "top 4" forward pack next year though. It will still be only average compared to Penrith, Roosters among others.
AdelaideTiger
Well-known member
@Fade-To-Black said in [Harry Grant](/post/1182692) said:
Haha have to show a little bit of favouritism, but I think we are trending up with Madge.
Jedi_Tiger
Well-known member
Grant is killing it with us .. if he was behind the Parra forwards they would win the comp. Grant is twice the footballer Rheed Mahoney is.
Hope we keep Grant a few more years and lets see what Simpkins can do, we dont want to let a future origin star go if we can help it
Hope we keep Grant a few more years and lets see what Simpkins can do, we dont want to let a future origin star go if we can help it
851
Well-known member
I love what Harry has done and is doing, but we bought Simpkin to be our long term hooker, the kid has big wraps on him
I for one would like to see him as our long term 9, but if we could strike a deal that sees Harry play next year and Simpkin in 2022, that would be even better.
I for one would like to see him as our long term 9, but if we could strike a deal that sees Harry play next year and Simpkin in 2022, that would be even better.
851
Well-known member
A good read, and positive press, who would have thought
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/kevin-walters-tips-tigers-to-finally-break-their-finals-drought-20200716-p55cje.html
Kevin Walters is backing the Wests Tigers to finally return to finals football for the first time since 2011, which will only boost the Queensland Origin aspirations of rookie hooker Harry Grant.
Walters spoke with Grant a couple of weeks ago and is excited to see how he performs against the Brisbane Broncos on Friday night while also cheering his son Billy, who will wear the Tigers' No.6 jersey for the first time.
Billy grew up supporting the Broncos, where his famous father won five premierships, but has quickly fallen in love with the Tigers. Last week he took up an option in his favour for 2021 because "I think we'll grow into a dominant team, and I want to be around for that''.
Walters senior has Jake Friend, Ben Hunt, Reed Mahoney and Andrew McCullough, who ''is in a good system at Newcastle'', all vying for the Maroons No.9 jersey – but he is also a fan of 22-year-old Grant, who sat second on the Dally M leaderboard heading into this weekend's matches.
Advertisement
"He's in the mix, and what we like is his general demeanour and how he's across everything in attack and defence,'' Walters told the Herald.
Maroons radar: Wests Tigers hooker Harry Grant has spoken with Kevin Walters.
Maroons radar: Wests Tigers hooker Harry Grant has spoken with Kevin Walters.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES
"He's only young and we're mindful of that.
"I had a good chat with him a couple of weeks ago, just about his footy and how he's going. Origin is down the track for him at the minute, as it is for everyone – there are still 10 weeks of footy and then finals – so we'll see how he's sitting after that.
"I believe the Tigers will get into the eight, and that will be good for him as well in his first year there.''
Walters was glad to see Billy extend his stay at the Tigers, where he continues to learn under Michael Maguire.
Maguire and Walters both missed out on the Broncos' top post in favour of Anthony Seibold. Maguire hasn't spoken to Seibold since he replaced him at Souths, while Walters never expected to be contacted once Seibold and the Broncos plunged into a decent mid-season slump.
Billy backed Grant for higher honours while backing himself to try to make the five-eighth role his own. Walters started the year at dummy-half, but is more comfortable at five-eighth and spent a lot of time in the Melbourne system with Broncos halfback Brodie Croft.
Maguire informed Walters on Monday morning he would be in the halves with Benji Marshall after Luke Brooks was axed.
"I had an option in my favour for next year, which I've taken up, and while it was disappointing not being picked, I love this club, I think we'll grow into a dominant team and I want to be around for that,'' Walters said.
"I also knew there was a good opportunity next year to try and hold down a spot.''
Walters knows for all their struggles, the Broncos have the ability to put the best teams away on their night.
"It's the Brisbane Broncos, and when they're on they're one of the best teams in the comp,'' Walters said.
"We need to make sure we're ready. I played lot of football with Brodie Croft the last few years and know how good he can be. And Anthony Milford has played Origin and can be one of the most electrifying halves in the comp when he wants to be.
"They are only one game from flicking the switch and being one of the dominant teams again. We'll be ready if they do try and turn it on.''
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/kevin-walters-tips-tigers-to-finally-break-their-finals-drought-20200716-p55cje.html
Kevin Walters is backing the Wests Tigers to finally return to finals football for the first time since 2011, which will only boost the Queensland Origin aspirations of rookie hooker Harry Grant.
Walters spoke with Grant a couple of weeks ago and is excited to see how he performs against the Brisbane Broncos on Friday night while also cheering his son Billy, who will wear the Tigers' No.6 jersey for the first time.
Billy grew up supporting the Broncos, where his famous father won five premierships, but has quickly fallen in love with the Tigers. Last week he took up an option in his favour for 2021 because "I think we'll grow into a dominant team, and I want to be around for that''.
Walters senior has Jake Friend, Ben Hunt, Reed Mahoney and Andrew McCullough, who ''is in a good system at Newcastle'', all vying for the Maroons No.9 jersey – but he is also a fan of 22-year-old Grant, who sat second on the Dally M leaderboard heading into this weekend's matches.
Advertisement
"He's in the mix, and what we like is his general demeanour and how he's across everything in attack and defence,'' Walters told the Herald.
Maroons radar: Wests Tigers hooker Harry Grant has spoken with Kevin Walters.
Maroons radar: Wests Tigers hooker Harry Grant has spoken with Kevin Walters.CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES
"He's only young and we're mindful of that.
"I had a good chat with him a couple of weeks ago, just about his footy and how he's going. Origin is down the track for him at the minute, as it is for everyone – there are still 10 weeks of footy and then finals – so we'll see how he's sitting after that.
"I believe the Tigers will get into the eight, and that will be good for him as well in his first year there.''
Walters was glad to see Billy extend his stay at the Tigers, where he continues to learn under Michael Maguire.
Maguire and Walters both missed out on the Broncos' top post in favour of Anthony Seibold. Maguire hasn't spoken to Seibold since he replaced him at Souths, while Walters never expected to be contacted once Seibold and the Broncos plunged into a decent mid-season slump.
Billy backed Grant for higher honours while backing himself to try to make the five-eighth role his own. Walters started the year at dummy-half, but is more comfortable at five-eighth and spent a lot of time in the Melbourne system with Broncos halfback Brodie Croft.
Maguire informed Walters on Monday morning he would be in the halves with Benji Marshall after Luke Brooks was axed.
"I had an option in my favour for next year, which I've taken up, and while it was disappointing not being picked, I love this club, I think we'll grow into a dominant team and I want to be around for that,'' Walters said.
"I also knew there was a good opportunity next year to try and hold down a spot.''
Walters knows for all their struggles, the Broncos have the ability to put the best teams away on their night.
"It's the Brisbane Broncos, and when they're on they're one of the best teams in the comp,'' Walters said.
"We need to make sure we're ready. I played lot of football with Brodie Croft the last few years and know how good he can be. And Anthony Milford has played Origin and can be one of the most electrifying halves in the comp when he wants to be.
"They are only one game from flicking the switch and being one of the dominant teams again. We'll be ready if they do try and turn it on.''
851
Well-known member
A good wrap on Simpkin
https://www.zerotackle.com/the-man-who-will-help-soften-the-blow-of-grants-departures-nrl-57206/amp/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Zero%20Tackle&__twitter_impression=true
Harry Grant has given the Melbourne Storm his word that he’ll return to the club in 2021, dashing Tigers’ fans hope of retaining the boom hooker.
Grant has scored two tries and assisted three in his seven games for Wests in 2020, and while both the coaching staff and the fans at Concord are eager to extend his stay, Grant has promised the Storm he will return next year.
The confirmation is a blow for the Wests Tigers, who are starting to look a chance of breaking their nine year finals drought, though Michael Maguire has this week dropped Luke Brooks to send a message.
And while Michael Maguire has Jacob Liddle at his disposal when Grant does hit the exit doors, there’s another youngster who should truly soften the blow of Grant’s departure. His name, you ask?
Meet Jake Simpkin.
He’s a young 18 year-old hooker, clocking in at 91kgs and 181cm, the Toowoomba born rake comes with some kind of raps on him.
The kid lives with last week’s debutant and fellow Queenslander Reece Hoffman, and looks ready to be thrown into first-grade at any opportunity.
Simpkin played for the Under 16’s Maroons side in 2017 and the Under 18’s Maroons team in 2019, and with the future of Queensland’s number nine jersey under debate, this youngster’s name will be in the conversation in a few years.
The hooker is one of ten Tigers signed to the end of 2022 or later, joining the Leilua brothers, Moses Mbye, Tommy Talau, Alex Twal, Luke Brooks, Adam Doueihi, Luke Garner and Stefano Utoikamanu as the future of the club.
While utilities Billy Walters and Josh Reynolds are signed until 2021, neither would be first choice for the starting hooker gig, more likely in the no. 14 jersey.
The hooker will join a wave of young Queensland hooking talent in the NRL, with Harry Grant, Jake Turpin and Reed Mahoney all impressing in 2020, joining Ben Hunt and Jake Friend in the hunt for the Maroon’s starting hooker role.
There’s a young movement at Leichhardt, with Simpkin potential debut to join the likes of Tommy Talau, Alex Seyfarth, Sam McIntyre and Reece Hoffman to hit the scene this year, with Shawn Blore not far off and recruit Stefano Utoikamanu debuting for Parramatta last week.
While there’s no doubt Simpkin is no Harry Grant, he’s one of the best hookers in Australia not playing in the NRL right now, and is a certain star of the future, and one to keep an eye on in the near future.
https://www.zerotackle.com/the-man-who-will-help-soften-the-blow-of-grants-departures-nrl-57206/amp/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Zero%20Tackle&__twitter_impression=true
Harry Grant has given the Melbourne Storm his word that he’ll return to the club in 2021, dashing Tigers’ fans hope of retaining the boom hooker.
Grant has scored two tries and assisted three in his seven games for Wests in 2020, and while both the coaching staff and the fans at Concord are eager to extend his stay, Grant has promised the Storm he will return next year.
The confirmation is a blow for the Wests Tigers, who are starting to look a chance of breaking their nine year finals drought, though Michael Maguire has this week dropped Luke Brooks to send a message.
And while Michael Maguire has Jacob Liddle at his disposal when Grant does hit the exit doors, there’s another youngster who should truly soften the blow of Grant’s departure. His name, you ask?
Meet Jake Simpkin.
He’s a young 18 year-old hooker, clocking in at 91kgs and 181cm, the Toowoomba born rake comes with some kind of raps on him.
The kid lives with last week’s debutant and fellow Queenslander Reece Hoffman, and looks ready to be thrown into first-grade at any opportunity.
Simpkin played for the Under 16’s Maroons side in 2017 and the Under 18’s Maroons team in 2019, and with the future of Queensland’s number nine jersey under debate, this youngster’s name will be in the conversation in a few years.
The hooker is one of ten Tigers signed to the end of 2022 or later, joining the Leilua brothers, Moses Mbye, Tommy Talau, Alex Twal, Luke Brooks, Adam Doueihi, Luke Garner and Stefano Utoikamanu as the future of the club.
While utilities Billy Walters and Josh Reynolds are signed until 2021, neither would be first choice for the starting hooker gig, more likely in the no. 14 jersey.
The hooker will join a wave of young Queensland hooking talent in the NRL, with Harry Grant, Jake Turpin and Reed Mahoney all impressing in 2020, joining Ben Hunt and Jake Friend in the hunt for the Maroon’s starting hooker role.
There’s a young movement at Leichhardt, with Simpkin potential debut to join the likes of Tommy Talau, Alex Seyfarth, Sam McIntyre and Reece Hoffman to hit the scene this year, with Shawn Blore not far off and recruit Stefano Utoikamanu debuting for Parramatta last week.
While there’s no doubt Simpkin is no Harry Grant, he’s one of the best hookers in Australia not playing in the NRL right now, and is a certain star of the future, and one to keep an eye on in the near future.