Could Harry Grant do the unthinkable and depart the Storm?
Fresh reports have revealed Melbourne have just five weeks to secure the star’s future or risk their captain and one of their most important players hitting the open market.
While the NRL website lists Grant as contracted until the end of 2028, CODE Sports’ Brent Read has revealed the Origin dummy-half has an option clause in his deal that must be exercised by November 1 this year.
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If he does not activate the option before November 1, he would effectively become a free agent with his current deal expiring at the end of the next season.
“This is interesting. The NRL website reports he’s on a contract until the end of 2028, which would mean he’s not a November 1 guy,” Read said on NRL 360.
“What the situation is, is he’s actually got an option clause in his contract which he has to take up by November 1 this year.
“If he doesn’t take up the option, he effectively becomes a free agent (because) he’s off contract at the end of next year.
“The Storm have got five weeks to tie him down or convince him to take up the option. They’re desperate to.”
The shock report has left the Storm with a crucial five-week window to convince Grant to remain at the club.
However, there is a growing confidence at the Storm that he wants to stay.
“I spoke to Trippy and he’s very confident they will keep him and that he wants to stay,” Read added.
“And other people at the club are confident he wants to stay as well but there’s only five weeks to that cut-off date.
“If Harry hits the market, it blows everyone out of the water. Melbourne’s priority is to get a deal done.”
Should Grant become available, the incoming PNG Chiefs could be amongst the several club who would take notice and attempt to land his signature.
“Are PNG interested in Harry?” Braith Anasta asked.
Asked whether the Chiefs have him on their radar, the reporter conceded he was currently unaware of any interest but believes that is likely to change very quickly.
“Everyone in the game would be interested in Harry Grant but I’m not sure at the moment he’s on their radar,” he continued.
“But I’m sure if he hits November 1, they would be mad not to take a look at Harry Grant.”
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It is understood that Grant’s future could also be influenced by a number of external factors such as who will take over as Storm coach from Craig Bellamy when he finally steps away from the job.
“I think clarity around who the next coach would be would help,” The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis added.
“If they somehow convinced Billy Slater to do the job does his gravitas put an end to this sort of stuff. I feel like that’s a huge call that Melbourne will have to make.
“You’ve got Cam Munster, Harry Grant, two of their best players on the market who would probably want clarity.”