Queensland Maroons team news: Injured star Harry Grant cleared for State of Origin decider

Maroons star Harry Grant has been cleared for the Origin decider after surviving a physical training session, while Billy Slater gave fans an insight into how he will unleash Kalyn Ponga.

Maroons star Harry Grant has been cleared for the Origin decider after surviving a physical training session which claimed a Queensland teammate.

Grant spent ample time at dummy-half during Queensland’s opposed session against the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls in Camp Maroon on Thursday afternoon.

The Storm skipper hasn’t played since Origin II due to a sternum complaint and had been tipped to miss Wednesday’s decider, with Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney part of Queensland’s extended squad.

However Grant trained strongly, dispelling theories he would miss the Suncorp Stadium blockbuster where Queensland will gun for a hat-trick of series triumphs under coach Billy Slater.

“He looked good,” Maroons winger Valentine Holmes said of Grant.

“He probably trained a bit more than he would have liked but he didn’t complain or look out of shape.

Harry Grant trained strongly during Queensland’s opposed session. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“It’s probably more the headgear that looks a bit different on him.”

The first public hit-out for the Maroons revealed Valentine Holmes will play left wing outside Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

On the right side, Selwyn Cobbo will move to the wing with veteran Dane Gagai at centre.

Bench weapon Kalyn Ponga trained in the middle as coach Billy Slater weighs up how to inject the Dally M Medal superstar.

While Grant emerged unscathed and gave his sternum a workout, backrower Brendan Piakura succumbed to an ankle problem.

Running with the Seagulls, Piakura was dragged down awkwardly by a Maroons teammate and immediately clutched at his right ankle, taking no further part in the session.

Piakura was part of an extended squad and was not going to play in the decider unless a member of Queensland’s forward pack was ruled out during the week.

The dynamic Grant has been below his best during this year’s series, but Holmes is tipping him and starting hooker Ben Hunt to tear the Blues apart.

“It’s awesome (to have that combination),” he said.

“(Hunt) comes with the experience when he starts and then Harry comes on with his craftiness around the ruck and deception is second to none.

“He is the best hooker in the game I reckon.

“To have those two, they complement each other in our team.”

The Maroons will train again at Sanctuary Cove on Saturday before shifting base to Brisbane and finalising preparations at Suncorp on Tuesday.

Originally published as Queensland Maroons team news: Injured star Harry Grant cleared for State of Origin decider