Melbourne Storm skipper Harry Grant has all but confirmed his intention to stay with the club beyond 2026, while joking about coach Craig Bellamy swapping the Victorian chill for the Gold Coast sun.
Speaking to 9News Sydney ahead of the opening Ashes Test, the Kangaroos hooker sounded relaxed about his future despite being off contract in just over a year. “Nah, it’s pretty good down there,” Grant said.
“I know what I’m getting out of myself at the Storm, I love the club and all the people involved. We’ll see how things play out over the next couple of weeks.”
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‘He likes sitting outside in his budgie smugglers’
Grant, who reportedly earns around $850,000 a season, is expected to command an upgrade given his standing as one of the NRL’s best players. But while his own deal looks likely to be resolved soon, Bellamy’s next move has been the real talking point, with the veteran coach linked to a possible advisory role at the Gold Coast Titans once his contract ends.
Asked if Bellamy had spoken to senior players about his future, Grant couldn’t resist teasing his boss. “Nah, he hasn’t,” he laughed. “He would probably like the sunshine, he likes sitting outside in his budgie smugglers and getting a tan, the old silver fox.”
Bellamy, 66, has spent more than two decades at the Storm, steering the club to three premierships in 2012, 2017 and 2020.
But for now, Grant’s attention is firmly on the Kangaroos’ Ashes campaign, with the champion hooker eager to embrace the chance to perform on the world stage. “For me, this is what it’s about — being able to take the game elsewhere and give the guys an opportunity to travel and play footy outside of Australia,” he said. “We have so many games in Australia throughout the year, so let’s take it worldwide.”