Melbourne Storm captain Harry Grant will head to the open market after declining to exercise his contract option for 2028, nine.com.au reported, a move that puts the NRL’s premier hooker in play for at least half a dozen rival clubs just weeks after the November 1 deadline passed.
The 28-year-old informed the Storm he will not trigger the option and will not decide whether he stays or leaves until after the World Cup final on November 15, news.com.au reported. Rival clubs will be free to negotiate with him from that date.
The Contract Contrast: 2028 on the NRL Website, Free Agency in Reality
The NRL website lists Grant as contracted until the end of 2028, but CODE Sports’ Brent Read revealed to foxsports.com.au that the Origin dummy-half holds an option clause in his deal that had to be exercised by November 1 this year. Because he did not take it up, his current deal expires at the end of next season and he effectively becomes a free agent.
“If he doesn’t take up the option, he effectively becomes a free agent because he’s off contract at the end of next year,” Read said on NRL 360, according to foxsports.com.au. “The Storm have got five weeks to tie him down or convince him to take up the option.”
According to News.com.au, Grant will evaluate his options after the World Cup before choosing where to play in 2028, despite Melbourne’s efforts to tie the superstar down.
Manly Lead the Chase for the Marquee Hooker
Manly are being tipped to lead the bidding war for Grant’s services, nine.com.au reported. The Sea Eagles have struggled in the hooking position in recent years and are clearing out their roster after a couple of under-performing seasons, leaving them with salary cap room to make a play.
News.com.au reports that Manly were below the salary cap for 2026 and have made available around $800,000 annually on the new contracts given to Tom and Jake Trbojevic. Their current top hooking option, Jake Simpkin, is contracted through to 2028, while Zach Dockar-Clay has not been offered a new deal.
A detail that could tip the scales: sources close to Grant told nine.com.au that during his 2020 loan year at the Wests Tigers, he spent a lot of time on Sydney’s northern beaches — the heart of Manly territory — and enjoyed the experience there. Grant has already shown he will leave Melbourne once before, having moved to the Tigers on loan in 2020.
Who Else Is in the Hunt?
The potential suitors extend well beyond the northern beaches. The incoming PNG Chiefs, who have already landed major backline acquisitions, are expected to turn their attention to their pack, and foxsports.com.au reports that if Grant hits the market, they “would be mad not to take a look.”
The Dragons and Bulldogs are both eyeing hookers for 2028, news.com.au reported. Former Dragons coach Shane Flanagan implored his old club to go after him on Triple M: “He could change your club. If Dragons went and got Harry Grant, what a difference for that club for the next four or five years.”
The Bulldogs have already agreed to sign Panthers back-up hooker Freddy Lussick on a two-year deal starting in 2027, but news.com.au reports there is little doubt they will still suss out Grant’s availability.
Why the Storm Still Think He Stays
There is growing confidence at Melbourne that Grant wants to remain. Read said he spoke to Storm officials who are “very confident they will keep him and that he wants to stay,” per foxsports.com.au.
His decision could also hinge on who replaces Craig Bellamy as coach when he eventually steps away. The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis, speaking on NRL 360 via foxsports.com.au, said clarity around the next coach would help, asking whether Billy Slater’s gravitas would end this kind of speculation. Cameron Munster is also testing his worth in free agency, and both players would likely want that clarity.
This is not the first time Grant has weighed up free agency. In the 2021 off-season, when he was off-contract at the end of 2022, he first considered his options before signing a new deal to remain at Melbourne, news.com.au reported.
Grant Heads a Crowded Free Agency Class
Grant is one of a host of Storm players who became able to speak to rival clubs when November 1 passed. Alongside Munster, news.com.au names Xavier Coates, Jack Hetherington, Jack Howarth, Eliesa Katoa, Josh King, Ativalu Lisati, Josiah Pahulu, Trent Toelau, Kelma Tuilagi, Stefano Utoikamanu and Manaia Waitere as all entering free agency — a list that keeps Melbourne’s hands full, especially if Sam Walker and Nathan Cleary sign contract extensions as expected.
Did you know? Grant’s option deadline fell on November 1, but the World Cup final on November 15 is the real starting gun — that is when rival clubs can formally negotiate with him, according to news.com.au.
Harry Grant Contract Status and Negotiation Timeline Explained
Why does the NRL website say Harry Grant is contracted to 2028 if he is available?
The listing reflects the option year in his deal, but CODE Sports’ Brent Read reported to foxsports.com.au that the option had to be exercised by November 1. Grant did not exercise it, so his contract ends after next season.
When can clubs officially negotiate with Harry Grant?
After the World Cup final on November 15, when rival clubs become free to negotiate with him, news.com.au reported.
Which clubs are most interested in signing Harry Grant?
Manly are tipped to lead the race per nine.com.au, while the PNG Chiefs, Dragons and Bulldogs are also named as interested parties by news.com.au.
Has Harry Grant left Melbourne before?
Yes — he had a loan year at the Wests Tigers in 2020, during which sources told nine.com.au he spent considerable time on the northern beaches.
Will Harry Grant actually leave the Storm?
Uncertain. News.com.au reports he will decide after the World Cup, while foxsports.com.au reports Storm officials remain confident he wants to stay.
The strongest remaining fact is the one Grant himself has not resolved: whether the Storm captain who declined his 2028 option stays in Melbourne or takes his northern beaches connection to Manly.
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