‘Typical Gus’: Storm boss defends Grant’s theatrics and returns serve on critics

Storm chairman Matt Tripp maintains Harry Grant is not harming his legacy and is more than capable of blocking out the criticism and personal attacks that followed the controversial end to Melbourne’s win over Penrith on Thursday night.

Grant was criticised for flapping his arms in the air and hitting the turf after running into Panthers prop Moses Leota to earn a late penalty in the Storm’s controversial golden-point victory over Penrith.

The NRL later confirmed Grant had acted within the rules and backed Ashley Klein’s decision to award a penalty.

Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould posted a photo to his social media accounts of Grant’s “theatrics” with the caption: “Funny game is Rugby League.”

Tripp insisted Grant’s actions had not tarnished his reputation, and said it was hardly a shock Gould was among the critics, especially given the Bulldogs play Melbourne on Friday night.

“Harry is sensible enough and mature enough to know he plays within the confines of the rules, and outside noise is just that – outside noise,” Tripp said.

“We do what we do within the rules to win. If there are a few upset Penrith punters out there, that’s their prerogative.

“Internally, we know Harry did nothing wrong. He’s a brilliant captain and a brilliant leader, and we wouldn’t swap him for anyone.

“Hearing about Gus’s post, that’s typical Gus. You can almost set your watch to it; you get closer to the finals and people start trying to unnerve us.

“It’s just the way it goes. Harry and the club can block it out. We were buoyed by the victory on Thursday night, and we won’t let any noise coming out of Sydney affect that.”

The incident overshadowed the Storm’s win, which Grant himself feared would happen. He laughed when Today sports host Danika Mason questioned his antics on air on Friday morning.

Panthers skipper Nathan Cleary was frustrated, and declared after the game his captaincy counterpart – and Queensland Origin rival – had played for the penalty by running into Leota.

“Essentially, Harry played for it because he knew he was going to get the penalty,” Cleary said. “I don’t think Moses moved at all. It was pretty frustrating.

“I know that’s a common cliché, but is he then meant to run through? If he does, he’s a chance of taking people out.

“Do we expect [Leota] to get all the way behind the ball? Then we’ve got nobody to run it. I don’t know. It’s a split-second thing. I’m calling the ball to take the field goal, Moses is there to take a run, and he didn’t move.”

Grant, who went on to score the match-winning try in golden point, said even the Panthers players knew Leota should not have been standing where he was. He also asked if past footage would show Penrith using players to stand in front of Cleary as he lined up field goal attempts.

“Everyone understands you’re not allowed to be in that position,” Grant said. “It’s a hard one, but it’s what has been policed throughout the season.

“Penrith have played in a fair few contests where they have kicked field goals. Maybe we need to have a look at their set-ups. Have they got no one in front of Nathan?”

The Storm can virtually seal a top-two finish – and an all-important home final at AAMI Park – if they defeat the Bulldogs. Penrith and Canberra play a couple of hours earlier in Mudgee.

Ryan Papenhuyzen, a one-time Bulldogs target late last year, is expected to return from concussion after missing the win over Penrith.

Papenhuyzen is off contract at the end of next year and has been linked to the breakaway rugby competition R360.

“We’ve had discussions, and we’d love Ryan to play out his career with us,” Tripp said.

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