![\"Nick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/441fcc43b663461ee537a1fa43bde38dbfcd68a8.png\")
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n On the surface, Harry Grant appeared to be in the midst of the greatest challenge of his captaincy, as his club grappled with four moments of heartache that threatened to break it amid a record-breaking losing streak.<\/p>\n But as he rejoined the Queensland Maroons\u2019 fold in preparation for the State of Origin series launch, the Melbourne Storm hooker and skipper was defiant.<\/p>\n \u201cOur group was fine throughout, it was just obviously deflating not getting those results. You put so much time and effort into it, and it just didn\u2019t change the way that we wanted it to \u2013 or as quick as we wanted it to,\u201d Grant said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s just important to stay together. We have a lot of joy still at training, and that\u2019s what it\u2019s all about.\u201d<\/p>\n While that turmoil ensued, the Storm lost seven-straight games \u2013 the longest losing streak in their esteemed history \u2013 but Grant denied that was reflective of their teammates\u2019 ordeals.<\/p>\n \u201cThe way I look back at it now, maybe through those six or seven weeks, we were probably just expecting what we did last year to be there in a way. We lost a fair bit of combination and key players in our team, and you don\u2019t have to speak too much to those guys or simplify things too much,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a team, we went back to being a bit more simple and demanding a bit more \u2026 from each other.\u201d<\/p>\n Melbourne have looked far closer to their old selves in the past two weeks, with wins against the Tigers (44-16) and Parramatta (34-8) coinciding with news of Bellamy\u2019s health.<\/p>\n Grant has scored and made 44 tackles in each of those games, while making five linebreaks. His Storm and Maroons five-eighth, Cameron Munster, has crossed for three tries and run for more than 100 metres in each of those outings.<\/p>\n \u201cYou could say there\u2019s extra motivation for sure, but I think that\u2019s not spoken about as a playing group. It\u2019s more internally; each player has their own little piece, but I think it\u2019s just, timing wise, we had demanded a bit more, and our training standards started to show on the field,\u201d Grant said.<\/p>\n Queensland and Melbourne forward Trent Loiero stressed the emotional drama had been no excuse for their performances.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone\u2019s got stuff going on \u2013 the Broncos have 13 players out \u2013 so there\u2019s stuff going on everywhere,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n But Loiero has vowed to repay the faith that both Bellamy and Maroons coach Billy Slater have entrusted him with, having been on the receiving end of a social media backlash regarding his Origin selection.<\/p>\n Related Article On a pure statistical basis, the 25-year-old\u2019s numbers \u2013 80 running metres and 34 tackles a game \u2013 are dwarfed by the likes of Corey Horsburgh and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki in 2026, who both missed out on spots in Slater\u2019s side.<\/p>\n Loiero confirmed he was off social media and did not entertain the criticism, conceding: \u201cI can understand that I might not be everyone\u2019s cup of tea as a player.\u201d<\/p>\n But the Sunshine Coast product said Bellamy and Slater had given him jobs that often went unnoticed, and he would be playing to vindicate their support.<\/p>\n \u201cI am a bit no frills, I have a certain job in the team at Melbourne, and it\u2019s a pretty simple role. I\u2019ve been playing under Craig for a fair few years now, and he obviously has a lot of faith in me,\u201d Loiero said.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be able to repay him, play good footy for him, it\u2019s a bit of a confidence booster. We were all in a little bit of shock [about Bellamy\u2019s diagnosis], and still don\u2019t know what\u2019s next or what\u2019s going to happen, but all we do know is we can put our best foot forward for him and try to make him proud.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been good to see him with a smile on his face, he\u2019s a great man and been a great role model for myself and a lot of people in the game.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure what\u2019s next for him, or next year or beyond that, all I know is we can put our best foot forward for him this year and make him proud.\u201d<\/p>\n Start the day with a summary of the day\u2019s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Harry](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/34a80ed8f628de283f68ad38568367e54ef43bb9.jpeg\")
Harry Grant will again play for the Maroons in the State of Origin.Getty<\/p>\n![\"Trent](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ffd73a73680d651ad7a3072dad45ee6992c9b9ed.jpeg\")
Trent Loiero, whose Maroons selection has caused a stir on social media.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Deine\u00a0Mariner](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779624952_259_81cd6940abf67fa44d4e60c53807bfc2c58398a4.jpeg\")
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