Grant named RLPA Rookie of the Year

Harry Grant has won the RLPA's Rookie of the Year award after starring as Wests Tigers hooker this season.

Grant, 22, was on loan with the Tigers from Melbourne Storm and seized his opportunity for game time in stunning fashion, getting the nod from his peers for the RLPA gong.

The clever No.9 figured prominently in every game he played and has been dubbed Cameron Smith's heir apparent at Melbourne, despite the presence of New Zealand Test hooker Brandon Smith.

Grant has also been rated capable of playing the next decade as Queensland's State of Origin hooker, by Maroons icon and rugby league Immortal Wally Lewis.

Grant beat Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Cowboys), Herbie Farnworth (Broncos), Toby Rudolf (Sharks) and Eliesa Katoa (Warriors) to the Rookie of the Year gong.

Grant, who has been named in Queensland's extended Origin squad, told The Sunday Footy Show that he was rapt with his RLPA award. Grant was announced as the winner exclusively on the Nine NRL program.

"Very surprised and very honoured to win the award, especially when you see the list of previous winners - it's a pretty good list," he said.

Sonny Bill Williams was the award's inaugural winner in 2004. Players like Darius Boyd, Josh Dugan, Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster have followed.

The fact that Grant won the award while on loan with another club only makes his win more remarkable. He actually debuted in 2018 but had played just two games before this season, given the presence of both Smiths at the Storm.

He is expected to return to Melbourne next season, with Cameron Smith tipped to retire after the looming grand final.

"It was a very difficult decision obviously, leaving the Storm, but I just knew the opportunity that I had in front of me," he said.

"It was just to prove that I could play in the NRL and handle NRL week-in, week-out. I just wanted to earn the respect of all the players and coaches here (Melbourne) and then I wanted to contribute to the Wests Tigers making finals. Unfortunately, we didn't do that but I think personally, I ticked a couple of boxes that I wanted to."

The RLPA Players' Champion award winner will be announced on NRL grand final day. The nominees are Nathan Cleary (Panthers), Luke Keary (Roosters), James Tedesco (Roosters), Josh Papalii (Raiders) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors).

from WWOS https://ift.tt/345zGN8
via IFTTT