NRL: Harry Grant hopes Brandon Smith stays at Storm to fight for hooker's berth

NRL Rookie of the Year Harry Grant hopes Kiwi star Brandon Smith will stay at the Melbourne Storm and battle for the hooker’s berth.

The Storm's No 9 jumper is still in limbo with longtime skipper Cameron Smith yet to declare if he wants to stay in Melbourne for a 20th NRL season after 430 first grade games.

Brandon Smith – New Zealand's first-choice test hooker - spent much of last season playing as a middle forward for the NRL champions, while Grant starred on loan for the Wests Tigers.

[Harry Grant during a Melbourne Storm NRL training session at Gosch's Paddock on Monday.]

Grant has returned to the Storm for the 2021 season after winning the Dally M Rookie of the Year crown while with the Tigers.

Brandon Smith is still contracted to the Storm, but he has been granted a release to find another club which will accommodate his desire to specialise at hooker.

The Storm will let him switch to a NRL rival if they can get another elite player in return.

[Source: Stuff.Co]