Grant, Munster, Hughes: Surprise snub in Melbourne Storm’s new six-man leadership group

Melbourne hooker Harry Grant is the new Storm captain after a late night phone call from coach Craig Bellamy - but a former skipper has been left out of the club’s new six-man leadership group.

Storm vice-captains Jahrome Hughes (L) and Cameron Munster (R) flank new skipper Harry Grant. Picture: David Crosling

Harry Grant was getting ready to hit the hay when coach Craig Bellamy called to ask him whether he would be interested in taking over the captaincy of the Melbourne Storm.

Bellamy, who hinted at a change of leadership in an interview with this masthead a matter of weeks ago, told Grant to sleep on it and let him know the next day.

“I got up in the morning, went straight to training and just told him I was keen to do it,” Grant, who turns 25 on February 17, said.

“I feel like it is a good chance for me to take more ownership and responsibility, not just of the team, but of my own performance.

“Ultimately a good skipper does his job well week in, week out. That is my goal. I am not always going to have the right thing to say or I might get things wrong, but hopefully I am leading with my actions, just bringing a strong work ethic and positive attitude to the group.”

With seven Test caps and eight Queensland games under his belt, Grant follows in the footsteps of legends. The most noteworthy is his fellow No.9 Cameron Smith, who was captain of the Storm for more than a decade wearing the number that Grant now calls his own.

Grant is the first to admit he won’t be looking to replicate Smith. He concedes that would be folly. He wants to put his own fingerprints on the club‘s leadership. He wants to do it his way.

Storm vice-captains Jahrome Hughes (L) and Cameron Munster (R) flank new skipper Harry Grant. Picture: David Crosling

“Smithy did it so well for a number of years,” Grant said.

“Very fortunate to have had a little bit of time learning off Cam through the NRL and into (State of) Origin. It is something to learn but also do it my own way and put a bit of a spin on it.”

Smith is only ever a phone call away if Grant needs him. As are his vice-captains Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes, as well as his predecessor Christian Welch, who was surprisingly not part of the club’s six-man leadership group.

“He is so experienced and such a leader himself,” Grant said.

“I think I can definitely lean on him throughout the season. We’re going to lean on him to bring his strength to the group, not only Christian but all of the leadership group.”

That includes Munster.

“He will be outstanding,” Munster said.

“He is pretty much a leader in his own right, has a lot of respect from obviously the younger group, but the older group as well.

“He is a very calming influence on the team, he is not like an erratic Cam Munster where I obviously let the emotions get the better of me sometimes and I wouldn’t be able to talk to the referee as politely as Harry does.

“I think sometime where decisions don’t go our way, I get to a stage where my emotions show. That is why we probably need someone more consistent.

“Harry is probably the nicest bloke out of all of us. I think it is a great fit for us as a club. He is only young - he has another nine or ten-plus years left in the competition.

Former captain Christian Welch left out of the leadership group. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“It was a smart decision by Bellyache long term. I think another reason to make him captain was to keep him long term as well.”

Grant has another year remaining on his lucrative contract but the more immediate priority for he and the club is to ensure the Storm get themselves back into premiership contention and close the gap on pacesetters Penrith.

Bellamy walked away from last season frustrated with the way his side capitulated in the finals and change has been in the wind ever since.

Grant was already a pivotal member of the side but he has now become the face of that change.

“There were some pretty good candidates but I am happy with the opportunity,” Grant said.

“I have to do something with it now though.”