‘Ridiculous’: Storm break silence after Gus ‘cheat’ call on QLD star in explosive Origin claim
The Melbourne Storm have responded to comments from legendary NSW coach Phil Gould, which lit the fuse for this year’s Origin decider, labelling Queensland hooker Harry Grant a “cheat”.
Grant’s in-game antics had already caught the attention of NSW players, with the Storm superstar constantly seen speaking to referee Ashley Klein in Game 2 at the MCG.
It is nothing new for Grant, who also found himself in the spotlight after Penrith skipper Nathan Cleary accused him of “playing” for a penalty in Melbourne’s golden point win.
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Now, Gould has put the attention back on Grant ahead of the decider after making the “cheat” claim in a conversation with former Maroons skipper Cameron Smith on ‘100% Footy’.
Smith, of course, mastered the dark art of influencing referees during his career and told Gould “you need to keep the referees honest”.
“Back me up Gus. That’s been happening since 1908, hasn’t it,” he added.
“You took it to a new level. Let’s call it for what it is – Harry is a cheat,” Gould responded.
“When you do that to a referee, and you’re talking to a referee, and questioning a decision, you never think he’s going to reverse a decision.
“It’s about what he does with the next one.”
An honest Smith then replied the idea is to make the referee “think twice about the next one”, prompting Gould to only double down on his explosive claim.
“One hundred per cent. Anyway, Harry is a cheat,” Gould said.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 23: General Manager of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and channel nine commentator Phil Gould looks on before the round four NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and Penrith Panthers at CommBank Stadium on March 23, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Supplied
Following the comments earlier in the week, Storm part-owner and chairman Matt Tripp has revealed that neither he nor the club will be seeking a public apology from Gould.
Admitting that Grant laughed when he first heard the comments, Tripp said there was no plans to take the matter any further.
“This is what we’ve come to expect from ‘Gus’ [Gould] – we couldn’t care less what he’s got to say,” Tripp told The Herald.
“This time last year Gus said Harry was Queensland’s best player to try and put pressure on him, and unnerve him.
“Now he’s doing the same thing but this time calling him a cheat in the hope he gets under his skin.
“It’s water off a duck’s back for Harry. It’s a really strange thing to say about a player who is one of the fairest in the game.
“To call him a cheat is pretty ridiculous. It certainly hasn’t annoyed Harry.”
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The claim was put to both Blues skipper Isaah Yeo and coach Laurie Daley during Tuesday’s official pre-game press conference.
“I don’t really notice it during the game, and I don’t think it slows it down,” Yeo said.
“Obviously Gus has an opinion on it, and he’s probably watched more footy than me.
“He (Grant) is probably not doing it when things are going right for them.”
Daley, meanwhile, said he was “not getting involved” in any discussion on whether Grant is a cheat.
While Yeo and Daley largely wanted to stay out of it, Reece Robson conceded in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald that they have noticed Grant’s scheming ways.
“He definitely gets away with a lot of that sort of stuff. I think the whole Queensland side the last couple of games have been better playing that side of the game,” the Blues hooker said.
“That’s something we need to improve. Some people seem to get away with stuff, others don’t.”
Billy responds to Gus’ Grant comments | 11:15
BRAILEY OPENS UP ON THREE-WEEK RACE
NSW Blues hooker Blayke Brailey has opened up on the unique measures he took to return from a broken arm in time for the 2026 State of Origin series decider.
Sustaining a broken arm between Game I and Game II, Brailey’s Origin campaign appeared to be over with the Sharks dummy-half facing a race against the clock to feature in Game III.
While many expected him to be ruled out for the remaining two matches of the series, the Sharks dummy-half never lost belief that he could make a remarkable return.
Rather than accepting that his 2026 Origin campaign was over, he immediately set his sights on a three-week turnaround and remained confident that he could give himself every chance of being available.
“It was a rollercoaster playing and winning Game One and then going back to the club and breaking my arm,” Brailey told foxsports.com.au.
“It was the highest and lowest I’ve been in the space of 48 hours.
Blayke Brailey will carry the scars of his broken arm into Origin III.Source: News Corp Australia
“I definitely had the goal to be back here for Game III and be back for the Sharks and always had confidence in myself, but at the same time you never know with these selections.
“There are so many great players and Laurie could go any other way, so really happy he put his trust in me.”
His belief was so strong that he turned it into a daily reminder, writing “three weeks” on the back of his door so he would see it every time he left the house.
The simple message became a source of motivation throughout his recovery process.
“I had confidence that I was going to be back in three weeks. I had no Plan B,” Brailey added.
“I remember the day I broke it, I wrote ‘three weeks’ on the back of my door so every time I’d leave (the house) I’d look at that.
“It was the Roosters game so I wrote that on the back of my door and every time I’d leave and come back in the house, that’s what I looked at.
“It gave me the confidence and the motivation and I had no pain and felt great.”
OO 2026 RD01SOO 2026 RD01 New South Wales v Queensland – Blayke Brailey. Picture: NRL PhotosSource: Supplied
That belief was crucial as Brailey quickly shifted his focus from disappointment to recovery and leaned on the support around him to make the ambitious timeline possible.
However, he wouldn’t have been able to return without the help of his partner and club’s doctors and physios that gave him the all clear to return to the field.
“It was probably the first 48 hours that were obviously a lot of disappointment, thinking about what I’m going to miss and that I’ll be stuck on the couch for a while,” Brailey continued.
“But I’ve got a pretty good support network and the coaching staff and physio and the surgeon gave me full confidence
“Normally, the surgeon’s hard to get the tick of approval but he was all on board with the three weeks and I was probably pushing it harder than I should have been.
“I was passing the ball with my partner maybe four or five days after surgery so I knew what my body was capable of, and I was pushing it pretty hard but at the same time I knew it was all going to be worth it in the end.
“After maybe about five days in I knew I was going to get there.
“I knew I was going to play there and I saw a lot of articles saying three weeks was near impossible, but that probably gave me more motivation.”
‘Been told’: Loz responds to NSW critics | 10:34
Earning the nod for the series-decider at Suncorp Stadium, the dummy-half will once again combine with Reece Robson in a one-two punch combination.
The pair have known each other for a long time, with their paths first crossing as young hookers coming through the Cronulla Sharks junior pathways system.
However, they have taken different paths to the Origin arena: Brailey has remained at the Shire, whereas Robson has bounced between multiple clubs before establishing himself as a representative player.
“I remember him coming through the ranks and being a local junior at the Sharks. He kind of came late,” Brailey added.
“I knew straight away that he was the good player versing me in the lower grades and from there I’ve watched his game grow and move to the Dragons and Cowboys.
“He went from strength to strength and the last few years watching him play for the Blues have been inspiring.
“Being a smaller person in the middle, I know how tough being a hooker can be and he just smashes out the 80 minutes pretty easily.
“I think he’s a great player and I’m really excited to reconnect again and grow my game and pick up little tips from him too.”
— Ethan Lee Chalk (Fox Sports)
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – JULY 02: Reece Robson passes the ball during the New South Wales Blues Men’s State of Origin training session at Cbus Super Stadium on July 02, 2026 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
BLUES UNLEASH BASH BROTHERS TO SHUT DOWN QLD
“Bash Brothers” Fulton Reed and Dean Portman terrorised their rivals on the ice in D2: The Mighty Ducks, with the state of NSW now hoping to see “Blues Brothers” Liam Martin and Hudson Young go after the Maroons on Wednesday night.
The duo weren’t born when the movie came out in 1994, but it was a special year for the Blues as they marched up to Brisbane and won a series decider for the first time at Suncorp Stadium.
Martin missed the first two games of this year’s series due to a knee injury, but he’s back on his familiar right side of the field where the plan is for him to target old foe Cameron Munster for as long as his lungs will let him.
The Panthers star will team up with Young in the back row with the series on the line, with fellow forward Payne Haas describing Martin as a “wild man” as he prepares to play his 16th game for his state.
“Watching it (game two) was very frustrating. I would have loved to have been out there and I thought I’ll do whatever I can to get to this game three,” Martin said.
“I probably didn’t think I’d played well enough (for Penrith) but I’m glad they put their trust in me. I’m going to get up there and get the job done.
“I just would have loved to have been there, be in the contest, the physicality. I was missing it a bit, so I’m glad I’m there for game three and can’t wait.”
Liam Martin and Hudson Young after winning game 1 of the 2025 State of Origin series between Queensland and NSW at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Pics Adam HeadSource: News Corp Australia
Young had Haumole Olakau’atu on the right edge in the series opener before Dylan Lucas was brought in to make his debut at the MCG, with Queensland going after that side as they cruised to a huge win to force a decider.
But they won’t have as much time with Martin back and on a mission to mess up the Maroons, with Olakau’atu likely to come on at some stage when the tank is empty.
“I’m really excited to pair up with ‘Marto’ in the back row,” Young said, with the Raiders star tasked with shutting down game two hero Sam Walker.
“He’s a world-class player and just really happy for him to be back in this environment. He’s built for Origin and he’s an animal, so I’m excited to be back in here with him.
“I think he just brings a presence. He’s won four competitions for a reason and he’s played at the highest level for many years now and he knows what it takes to win. He just does all the stuff you value as a teammate and to get him back in here fit and firing is exciting for us all.”
People north of the border can’t stand Martin when he’s ripping in for the Blues, but he doesn’t agree with one word they use to describe him.
Strange fit to return for Origin decider | 02:17
“I feel like I’m not much of a grub, but I do enjoy the physical side and the aggression,” he said.
“I feel like that’s how the game’s meant to be played, especially Origin. I really embrace it and look forward to it whenever I get the opportunity to put on the blue, to rip in.
“I’m sure Hudson and I have a similar mindset, and that’s why I love playing with him. So keen to get out there again, and I know we’ll get the job done for the team, me and him.”
The Blues have been written off heading into game three at Suncorp Stadium where they pulled off a stunning victory two years ago, and Young says something similar is brewing in this squad.
“We’re very connected as a team. Everyone’s close mates and that’s important as a team before you play. The camaraderie here in the team is as good as I’ve ever seen,” he said.
— Martin Gabor (NCA NewsWire)
