No regrets for Broncos utility Jake Granville after agreeing move to North Queensland Cowboys

HE will miss the opportunity to be coached by Wayne Bennett but Jake Granville says he has no regrets at quitting the Broncos to join the Cowboys.

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HE will miss the opportunity to be coached by Wayne Bennett but Jake Granville says he has no regrets at quitting the Broncos to join Queensland rivals the Cowboys.

Despite just nine top-grade games under his belt, Granville was embroiled in a tug of war last month between Queensland’s two NRL heavyweight clubs.

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The pint-sized hooker had an option to stay in Brisbane but rescinded it to link with the Cowboys, just 48 hours before Broncos hierarchy trumpeted Wayne Bennett’s signing.

Stuck behind Broncos rake Andrew McCullough, Granville is craving more minutes and is hoping to become a regular 80-minute performer in Townsville next season.

Jake Granville in one of his few chances to get on the park for the Broncos. Picture: Peter Wallis

“It was pretty hard to leave here but to further my game I had to go,” he said.

“‘Macca’ is a good player and he’s the No. 1 hooker here, so I will use this as a challenge and do my best.

“It’s tough to say if I can (be an 80-minute player) because I haven’t played too many games here.

“But that’s my goal in the long-term, to be an 80-minute guy, so it’s a bit of a change and I’m pretty excited about it.”

A trump card for the Cowboys in negotiations was coach Paul Green, who mentored Granville during Wynnum Manly’s back-to-back premierships in 2011-12.

The 25-year-old has shown glimpses of potential this year but needs more game time, as evidenced last week when he played just 11 minutes against Manly.

Cowboys football manager Peter Parr said Granville shapes as the ideal solution to the hooking position that has troubled the club since Aaron Payne’s retirement two years ago.

“We like what Jake can give us around the rucks,” Parr said.

“His speed out of dummy half can be a real asset and with Johnathan Thurston and the Australian front-row behind him, Jake can go to another level next season.”

Granville said he was relishing the prospect of reuniting with Cowboys coach Green after their successful alliance in the Intrust Super Cup.

Jake Granville will make a welcome addition to the Cowboys pack next season. Picture: Peter Wallis

“Anthony Griffin (Broncos coach) has been good and he is pretty similar to Paul, they are upfront, honest coaches and I like that style,” he said.

“I have lived in Brissie for eight years but I feel I can grow as a footballer as well if I play NRL at the Cowboys.

“There are some quality hookers up there so I’m not taking anything for granted, but right now I’m concentrating on finishing well here at the Broncos.”