He was Eastern Suburbs' best this year and was undeniably in the conversation for Intrust Super Shute Shield's player-of-the-year, and now Orange City Lions junior Jack Grant has signed for Japanese Top League franchise NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes.
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Although he did miss out on that Ken Catchpole Medal Grant was still awarded the competition's top try-scorer award in 2019 and also claimed Eastern Suburbs' Clarence Wallach Medal on Anzac Day, on top of skippering his side throughout a big chunk of their run to the finals.
As a result he was afforded another opportunity in the National Rugby Championship. He made his debut in that competition with the Sydney Rays in 2017 but took the chance to represent NSW Country this season, as was among the Eagles' best when he took the field.
But he did have a roadblock to negotiate as he was behind star half Jake Gordon in the Eagles' pecking order and that's been a trend for the nippy, 25-year-old play-maker, one which undoubtedly played into his decision to chase an opportunity overseas.
Grant has long-appeared on the cusp of a Super Rugby contract but naturally halfback is as competitive a position as you'll find, with the likes of Gordon, Henry Robertson, Michael McDonald and Mitch Short all on the NSW Waratahs' books for 2020
With that in mind a professional opportunity proved far too good to pass up and the Orange-born half signed with the Japanese giant earlier this month and is expected to be available for the Red Hurricanes in their season-opener.
After spending Christmas in England with his family Grant's professional career could begin on January 12 when his new franchise opens the Top League season against the Mitsubishi Dynoboars.
The Japanese Top League season runs through until early May, a little over a month after the 2020 Shute Shield begins so Grant is expected to return to Eastern Suburbs after his first stint overseas.
If he does he could become available for the Beasties again as early as their round eight clash against West Harbour, Eastern Suburbs were beaten in the opening week of the 2019 finals.
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Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
