Storm youngster Harry Grant is set to join the Tigers,albeit temporarily.Credit:AAP
Player swaps are rare but not unprecedented in the NRL,as evidenced by Canberra’s exchange of Clay Priest for then-Bulldogs fullback Brad Abbey in 2017.
What makes the Grant-Momirovski deal unique is that their current clubs have made a gentleman’s agreement for them to come home at the expiry of their new one-year deals.
Under the terms,the Storm will pay the money Momirovski agreed to at the Tigers for 2020 and vice-versa with Grant as the parties seek to bolster positions where their depth is tested. Seemingly,everyone emerges as a winner.
The Tigers get an NRL-ready hooker at a time when they are unable to adequately replace Robbie Farah due to Jacob Liddle’s injury and a cloud over the future of Josh Reynolds after the former NSW playmaker was charged with a domestic violence offence;Grant will get valuable first-grade experience not available at the Storm playing behind Cameron Smith and Brandon Smith this year;while the Storm will jag a capable centre following the departures of Curtis Scott and Will Chambers.
What’s more,Grant won’t be lost to Melbourne altogether. The 21-year-old will still get to jostle with Brandon Smith for the No.9 jersey once Cameron Smith retires,hence the Storm’s decision to recently re-sign him on a three-year deal.
Such is the regard he is held in by the club that Melbourne toyed with the idea of shifting the former Australian captain from hooker to halfback to give the young dummy halves more game time.
Paul Momirovski is set to play for the Storm this year,but remain under contract at the Tigers.Credit:Getty