The speculation around Harry Grant’s fitness has taken another twist with league icon Phil Gould predicting he won’t play in the Origin decider.
Unconfirmed reports suggest Grant has been battling a sternum injury, with Melbourne putting his absence last week against the Tigers down to “bumps and bruises”.
Last week, Gould described it as a “risk” for Slater to pick Grant but the Maroons coach selected him on the bench with Reed Mahoney as back up in the reserves.
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Gould was bullish on his prediction around the Storm star’s place in the team for Origin III.
Harry Grant of the Maroons is attended to by a trainer after copping a knock to the face. Cameron Spencer via Getty Images
“I don’t think Harry Grant will play. I don’t think he’ll play,” he said on Nine’s 100% Footy.
Gould comments came despite Slater earlier telling the show Grant is “in pretty good shape”.
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“He’s missed the last two games for Melbourne so the last game he played was down at the MCG (for Origin II) so he’s had plenty of time to recover,” he said.
“He came into camp today in pretty good health so there’s no real concern there for us and we’ll be going in as planned.”
The Blues have injury dramas of their own, with recalled centre Bradman Best battling a hamstring issue and Matt Burton on standby.