Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has likened recruit Harry Grant to Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith.
Maguire worked at the Storm as an assistant from 2005-2009 and believes there are similar attributes in Grant to the 411-game NRL veteran.
Grant played two games for the Storm before joining the Tigers ahead of the 2020 season. And Maguire was full of praise for the 22-year old.
โHe understands the fundamentals,โโ Maguire told The Daily Telegraph.
โWhen youโre at dummy half itโs about controlling the ball and telling markers which way you want them to go. Itโs his perception around the game.
โAll the little movements ingrained in a No.9 are what Harry has had in his game over a long period of time and thatโs what makes the top-end dummy halves who they are.
โThe way Cameron plays, he makes it so easy, but heโs been doing it so long itโs a habit that is formed.
โAnd with Harry, what Iโm seeing from him are similar attributes.โ
Following Robbie Farah's retirement and Jacob Liddle's ACL injury, Maguire confirmed that Grant was in the running to to be the first-choice hooker when the season resumes.
โWe had Jacob Liddle out with his knee injury [ACL],โ Maguire said.
โIt meant we needed a traditional dummy half.
โBilly Walters has done some good things for us. Weโve used Josh Reynolds there but heโs spent most of his time at five-eighth and itโs the time you spend in a certain position that allows you to be at the top level.
โOne thing about Harry is, he has played hooker all his life.โ
