JOHN GRANT COMFORTABLE WITH UTILITY ROLE

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tigersrule4life

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Powerful new winger John Grant is determined to make a name for himself in the NRL with the Wests Tigers.

In the second part of an exclusive interview with weststigers.com.au, the former Eastwood first grade rugby winger says he offers plenty of utility value.

“Tim Sheens has told me he doesn’t want me to be a one dimensional player in that I can hopefully play wing, fullback and centre,’’ Grant said.

“It would be good to be able to cover those positions. If a player can solely focus on the one position, then good on him but if you are trying to make it into a quality team like I am and aiming to make a name for yourself, it is probably best if you can come in as a utility player. “

Grant says playing in a side containing 8 internationals was one of the major attractions that lured him to Concord Oval.

“I like the style of footy Wests Tigers play. They are a very good side,’’ Grant said.

“I wanted to be at a Club which had a strong chance of winning the premiership and I am sure Wests Tigers can do that this year.

“They play a very exciting game and use their outside backs and wingers a lot. Being a back, that is something you look for. You don’t want to be in a team that uses their forwards only and their backs are put on the backburner.

“I’m really enjoying my time here. There is a tremendous spirit in the Club. Everyone gets on well. We train hard and then enjoy each other’s company off the park.”

As for his immediate goals, Grant is looking at getting a run in the Wests Tigers trials in February.

“I just like to be able to pick the game up as fast as possible. If I could make my NRL debut early in the season, that would be amazing,’’ Grant added.

“Not many people know who I am. It might mean I can fly under the radar without having added expectations placed on me.

“Hopefully in 12 months, people know who I am.”
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http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=46304&title=john-grant-comfortable-with-utility-role
 
I swear Cusso or someone at the website writes articles like this just to stir up everyone on here after reading the numerous threads on the young fellow.
Glad to hear things are going well and can't wait to see how he handles the transition in the trials. Not long to go tigerfans!!
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@Fraze23 said:
I swear Cusso or someone at the website writes articles like this just to stir up everyone on here after reading the numerous threads on the young fellow.
Glad to hear things are going well and can't wait to see how he handles the transition in the trials. Not long to go tigerfans!!
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I can assure you that is not the case in respect to your first sentence. Grant is training well though and he'll certainly be one of many players to keep an eye on during the trials.
 
Gonna be difficult to "fly under the radar" when yr 6ft 5 inches,110 kgs & the fastest bloke in the NRL!
I hope he catches every radar in town..& I think he will.
 
@willow said:
@Fraze23 said:
I swear Cusso or someone at the website writes articles like this just to stir up everyone on here after reading the numerous threads on the young fellow.
Glad to hear things are going well and can't wait to see how he handles the transition in the trials. Not long to go tigerfans!!
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Posted using RoarFEED

I can assure you that is not the case in respect to your first sentence. Grant is training well though and he'll certainly be one of many players to keep an eye on during the trials.
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It was a tongue in cheek comment in regards to the "fly under the radar" comment made by Grant, with all the threads and varying opinions of his ability discussed on the forum. Not knocking him at all, I think he'll be an outstanding acquisition if given the chance. Glad to hear he's training well.
 
hope he gets a run in one of the proper first grade trials (not just the campbelltown one), i have my doubts that he'll play nrl this year but im sure im not alone in hoping he could be pat richards mark II
 
Sounds like he and Brown will be battling it our for the 78 minute bench warmer position early on..
 
@BeeJay said:
Sounds like he and Brown will be battling it our for the 78 minute bench warmer position early on..
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Utai will be in the mix somewhere too as a Sheens favorite…lets just hope only one of these three backs gets a jersey on the bench,& the other three chosen reserves are forwards!Groundhog day..
Frankly I think Grant will have to wait for an injury in the outside backs to get a run,as lote & Ryan rightfully deserve first crack(one because of 2010 form,one because of 2011 form),but its up to him to impress in trials & State Cup to ensure he's first in line.
 
It's Cusso's job to talk up our club and give Sponsors and players a hearing/reading especially when then's not much else going on, let's not forget that John Grant has pretty fair bloodlines so he could be a bolter come mid season when he has 'found his feet', don't place too many expectations on him, but…..
 
Hmmm fullback & center are very demanding positions defensively wise….maybe he should just focus on doing well in trials
 
@innsaneink said:
Hmmm fullback & center are very demanding positions defensively wise….maybe he should just focus on doing well in trials
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All too true Ink. And personally I wouldn't mind playing outside of either Lawrence or Ayshford, both boys know how to defend and draw the defence in.
 
@innsaneink said:
Hmmm fullback & center are very demanding positions defensively wise….maybe he should just focus on doing well in trials
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Yeah see what your saying Ink , but for him to keep a future in league and with the Tigers he has to sell himself and do a very good job as he only has one season at this stage

He needs to be taking tiny steps at the moment and trying to concentrate on being good a one thing first which in my opinion would be a winger

If he is even thinking about trying to learn 3 positions in one season I think that will definitely be his down fall
 
He'd be doing as he is told by the coaching staff, they may see him as the bench role, and training him accordingly
 
@happy tiger said:
He needs to be taking tiny steps at the moment and trying to concentrate on being good a one thing first which in my opinion would be a winger

If he is even thinking about trying to learn 3 positions in one season I think that will definitely be his down fall
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Well said happy. Agree 100%
 
He seems to know his limitations and is trying to do his best at a new sport. We should all be supporting him Good luck John
 
Learning full back & centre in State Cup will simply accelerate his understanding of the nuances of NRL & make him a better winger when he eventually gets called up into 1sts.
Playing NRL,Grant was always ever going to be a finisher,a winger,which is what he was in Ra Ra,& with Lote not getting any younger & Utai no longer winger material,& Beau possibly getting a dose of the 2010 fumbles again(heaven forbid!),& thats precisely the postion he was bought for.Also,Reddy has f/b covered for now
Grant will do well in the trials,particularly well if the coach has done his homework & has have someone kicking effectively to his wing near the oppostion tryline and/or across field in open play,& will get an opportunity in firsts sooner rather than later,& may just prove difficult to dislodge when he does
 
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