How Grant helped Howarth storm into Maroons plans

Perth Now

03-06-2025

Melbourne centre Jack Howarth admits he had a lot to learn about being an NRL player at the Storm until club captain Harry Grant explained a few home truths to him.
The 22-year-old is regarded by Queensland and Storm legend Cooper Cronk as a Maroons player of the near future but that only became abundantly clear last year in Howarth's breakout season on the way to the grand final.
Howarth, a former Australian Schoolboys league gun and Brisbane Boys Colleges (BBC) rugby star, signed a five-year contract with the Storm in January, 2022.
It took him until 2024 to get a regular gig with the Storm but now the former Queensland under 19s league rep has his sights set on a Maroons debut.
"I lived with Harry Grant for a year and he would cut clips up for me and tell me what I was doing right and what I needed to do better to be in the team," Howarth told AAP.
"Harry had explained to me a few things I had to change because what I thought was important is a lot different to what (Storm coach) Craig Bellamy thinks is important.
"Craig is a very effort area type of person and I was always more concerned with how I went in attack. That is what I would base my game off, whereas he based a good game off defence and effort so I realised that and switched my mentality.
"My dream is to play for Queensland. It is the pinnacle of rugby league, especially coming from Rockhampton and doing all my schooling in Brisbane.
"Just being amongst all the Origins in Brisbane growing up was crazy. Hopefully I do get the opportunity."
Howarth is a huge young man with ball skills, speed and genuine oomph. He has only just returned to the Storm side after missing six weeks with a shoulder dislocation.
He will line up in the centres against North Queensland at AAMI Park on Friday night. Selection in this year's Origin series may appear a bridge too far but Howarth knows what Maroons coach Billy Slater, who helps out the Storm, wants from him.
'Billy does show me a few clips from games," Howarth said.
"He is very similar to Craig. It is the effort areas that he wants me to do well in."
Howarth starred in a 36-20 win by the Australian Schoolboys rugby league side over the Junior Kiwis while playing as a tall, rangy, wide-running back-rower.
At the Storm he has found his niche at centre.
"When I first came down I trained in the centres and I struggled defensively there because there was a lot of decision making, whereas back-row is more putting pressure on opponents," he said.
"Craig said that the opportunity was in the centres so I had to knuckle down. I was lucky I got a whole (2024) pre-season in and he was happy with how I went, so he gave me a crack. "At the Storm, even though it is a competitive environment, people are willing to help. When Juzzy (Justin Olam) was here he was helping with my defence. Now it's Nick Meaney.
"At the moment I have (club legend) Will Chambers who is coming into the club and he is working with me on the mental side as well with my defence and attack."