NRL 2024: Melbourne Storm reveal plans to re-sign Harry Grant ahead of his 100th game

From playing two games in two years and a Wests Tigers move, Harry Grant hasn’t had the easiest NRL journey. But ahead of his 100th game, Storm have revealed plans to keep him in Melbourne for life.

Melbourne owner and chair Matt Tripp has outlined plans for Harry Grant to finish his career at the Storm as the club captain prepares to celebrate his 100th first grade game by leading his side into a grand final qualifier.

Grant has at least 12 months remaining on his deal with Melbourne, although he is expected to take up an option for another year which would see him stay until the end of 2026.

Tripp doesn’t want Grant’s tenure at the Storm to end there. If the Melbourne boss has his way, Grant will see out his career at the club and become the cornerstone of another Storm dynasty.

The Melbourne Storm have outlined plans for Storm skipper Harry Grant to stay at the club for life, as he prepares for his 100th NRL match. Picture: Getty Images

“I want him to finish his career at the Melbourne Storm,” Tripp said.

“He is our captain, he is right up there in terms of his on and off field leadership. He has matured unbelievably since being handed the captaincy.

“He is a priority for us.”

Tripp confirmed initial talks had taken place but had been put on hold to allow Grant and his teammates to focus on navigating the finals and winning the club another premiership.

Once the season is over, those talks will ramp up and Tripp is confident Grant will see the benefit of staying in Melbourne.

“I said let’s just pause and see how far we can go over the next few weeks,” Tripp said,

“I wanted him to focus on winning footy. I want him to finish his career with us. I don’t see him going anywhere.”

Storm owner and chairman Matt Tripp says initial contract talks with Grant have begun, but have been put on hold as he focuses on winning his first premiership.

GAME 100

As he prepares for his landmark 100th appearance in a Storm jersey, Grant can vividly recall his first NRL game for the club more than six years ago.

With Storm legend Cameron Smith sidelined, Billy Slater captained the side and Grant came off the bench in a 24-4 loss to Manly at AAMI Park that culminated in a tongue-lashing for the team from coach Craig Bellamy.

”I think it might have been the first time Billy captained, actually,” Grant said.

“But yeah, it was pretty cool. I got run out by Bill. Then Smithy wasn’t playing, so Brandon (Smith) started. I was on the bench, but it was pretty daunting.

“It was a game that was all over the shop. Copped the biggest spray at full-time – not me, the team.

“It definitely opened my eyes to the NRL world and what it’s like.”

Harry Grant during his NRL debut in Round 11 2018 against the Manly Sea Eagles. Picture: NRL Imagery

Having had a taste of the NRL, Grant was forced to endure a long wait for a second chance. It came more than a year later in the final round of the 2019 season against the Cowboys.

This time, Cameron Smith played – longer than many had anticipated – and the Storm won.

“I think the Storm had all but wrapped up the minor premiership,” Grant said.

“Smithy was just going to play a little bit of the game, maybe half a game. Things didn’t go the way the Storm would have liked so Smithy, the ultimate competitor, stayed on.

“I came on for maybe the last seven minutes of the game.”

Grant had to wait more than a year to play his second NRL game, when he played off the bench in Round 25 2019 against the Cowboys. Picture: NRL Imagery

BIDING HIS TIME

Grant learned the art of patience from a young age after was forced to endure a two-year hiatus in his rugby league career when he battled a staph infection and then severely broke his leg in an accident involving an all-terrain vehicle.

All he wanted to do was play rugby league and run out for the Broncos. Instead the Storm and their recruitment guru Paul Bunn – a family friend of Grant’s father Paul – came knocking when Grant turned 17.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Image of Wests Tigers player Harry Grant leg after a car accident when he was a teenager- Picture Instagram

“His father is one of my best mates,” Bunn said.

“I remember saying to Harry’s father, he was playing in the backyard once and I said I will be back to sign that fella. I was at the Broncos then but I did go back to sign him when I was at the Storm.

“Harry was competitive mate. He had a good knowledge of the game. He was always on my radar not just because of the association but because of what he brought to the table – he was a leader of men early on.

“He was always gathering people together.”

Grant didn’t have a saloon passage to first grade. With Cameron Smith blocking his path, he was forced to bide his time.

He spent a year at the Wests Tigers on loan and he has been a fixture in the Melbourne side since returning, culminating in his ascent to the captaincy this season.

Harry Grant spent the 2020 season at the Wests Tigers, as part of the first loan arrangement in NRL history. Picture: Getty Images

Grant insists he never contemplated requesting a release from his Melbourne contract to seek greener pastures.

He was content to watch and learn from the likes of Smith and Slater, honing his craft while playing alongside the likes of Nicho Hynes and Ryan Papenhuyzen with the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup.

“I knew I was just in a very privileged position being a Melbourne Storm player, surrounded by Craig Bellamy, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater,” Grant said.

“They’re the players you dream of learning off, playing alongside. Not everyone has had that opportunity in their career and I got it very early.

“So I was very comfortable with where I was.”

THE FUTURE

Grant insists there is in no hurry to decide his long-term future. He has no desire to leave the Storm and his priority right now is to help the club win a premiership.

The Roosters are their next hurdle and they will be backed by a full house at AAMI Park in that quest on Friday night.

Once the season is over, he will sit down to discuss his future with club officials and it seems a matter of when not if he signs an extension to remain in Melbourne.

Grant says he has no desire to leave Melbourne, but insists he is in no rush to make a call on his long-term future. Picture: Getty Images

“I think it’s an exciting prospect,” Grant said of finishing his career at the Storm.

“I haven’t really thought too much about it but I guess you look at those guys – Cam and Bill and even someone like (Cameron) Munster who has hung around like a bad smell – it’s a special organisation, it’s a special club.

“You know you’re going to get the best out of yourself as a person, as a player. That’s why a lot of guys hang around – they don’t chase the money, they are content with what’s here, what’s offered here.

“If you look at our squad over the last few years, we have kept the real core group together. That’s pretty exciting, that’s a good thing for a club.

“I’m just lucky I’m in a good organisation at this time.”