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Harry Grant says he can lean on the experience of his State of Origin debut last year for proof that he will be fit for next month's series opener.
Harry Grant has declared last year's unique schedule means he will have no issue playing in the State of Origin series opener without an NRL game under his belt for weeks.
The Melbourne hooker started the year as favourite to secure the Queensland No.9 jersey, after being the difference on debut in last year's decider.
But he has played just five games so far this year after suffering a knee injury in a trial, before a significant hamstring blow struck him down last month.
That has left the likes of Cameron Smith pushing for Reed Mahoney to start at hooker, with Grant possibly becoming an option off the bench.
After being ruled out of Melbourne's clash with Brisbane on Thursday night, Grant would need to come into Origin without a game for five weeks.
But that would be nothing new for the 23-year-old.
Last year's Origin debut came after he hadn't played a game for almost two months, with Wests Tigers failing to make the finals before the end-of-season series.
With that in mind, Grant would have no issue coming into an Origin encounter with limited match fitness.
"Last year I played that debut game after not playing for eight weeks," Grant said.
"I take a bit of confidence out of that and just having that debut out of my belt. I'm not too concerned about the fitness side of things.
"I was probably touch-and-go for this weekend's game.
"If it was a little later in the draw I probably would have been alright.
"The fact it's a Thursday night the physios just wanted to give it some extra time."
Grant has spent part of his time out promoting food delivery company DoorDash's competition for a fan to deliver the game ball for Origin II in Brisbane.
But how many Storm players will be fit to play in the opener on June 9 remains to be seen.
Queensland prop Christian Welch became the latest Storm casualty this week, unable to train with a swollen knee.
Cameron Munster is touch-and-go at best, with his recovery from a foot injury slow in a concern that could have major ramifications for Queensland.
Meanwhile, Ryan Papenhuyzen's shot at a NSW Origin debut in game one is already gone as he battles to recover from a concussion.
Papenhuyzen has not yet joined Grant in Melbourne's rehabilitation group and it remains unclear when he will return to the field or make a claim for the Blues' side.
"He is not feeling well so he hasn't pushed it," Grant said.
"He had a bad concussion a few years ago so he is taking the safe option.
"He will get back to training when he feels the time is right and he is feeling a lot better with himself."
