Jake Granville


Jacob Granville is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL.
He previously played for the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League. He was a member of the Cowboys' 2015 NRL Grand Final and 2016 World Club Challenge winning sides.

Background

Granville was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.
He played his junior football for Rockhampton Brothers and attended St Anthony's Catholic Primary School, Rockhampton and St. Brendan's College, Yeppoon, before being signed by the Wynnum Manly Seagulls. Granville played for Wynnum's Colts side in 2007, and in 2008, made his Queensland Cup debut for the club.
In 2009, Granville joined the Brisbane Broncos, playing for their NYC team before moving back to Wynnum Manly in 2010. At Wynnum, Granville helped the Seagulls to consecutive grand final victories in 2011 and 2012, being named man of the match in 2011, and representing Queensland Residents in 2012. Granville re-joined the Brisbane Broncos in 2013, on a one-year deal.

Playing career

2013

In Round 10 of the 2013 NRL season, at the age of 24, Granville made his NRL debut for the Broncos, coming off the bench in the side's 32-6 win over the Gold Coast Titans. Later that season, he represented the Queensland Residents side for the second time. On 29 August, Granville re-signed with the Broncos on a 12-month extension.

2014

In Round 15 of the 2014 NRL season, Granville scored his first NRL try in the Broncos 19-10 loss to the Warriors.
A week later in Round 16, Granville was again promoted to the Broncos starting line-up against Cronulla, Granville was one of Brisbane's best in the club's two point loss. With regular Hooker Andrew McCullough back from injury in Round 17, Granville's impressive form saw him nail down a spot on the Broncos bench, Granville scored his 2nd NRL try against the Panthers in Round 17.
On 22 July 2014, Granville signed a 2-year contract with the North Queensland Cowboys, linking up with his former Wynnum Manly coach Paul Green.

2015

In Round 1 of the 2015 NRL season, Granville earned a spot on the Cowboys bench, beating Ray Thompson and Lachlan Coote as Paul Green's preferred utility option. By Round 4 of the 2015 NRL season, Granville had solidified himself as North Queensland's starting hooker. Granville scored his first try for North Queensland in Round 6 against South Sydney after a 50-metre break, which included running past Greg Inglis, the Cowboys won the match 30-12. In Round 7, Granville scored a hat trick, including the game-winning try, in the Cowboys' 28-24 victory over the Warriors. Many hailed Granville as the NRL's signing of the season with many pundits stating Granville was the form Hooker of the NRL competition in season 2015. In Round 20 against the Parramatta Eels, Granville took home man of the match honours ahead of Johnathan Thurston in the 46-4 point thrashing. Granville ran for 191 metres in this match, to go along with his 6 tackle breaks, 3 line breaks, 2 line break assists, 2 try assists & a try of his own. On 2 August, Granville was named Cowboys' Members Player of the Year.
On 4 October 2015, Granville was a member of the Cowboys' Grand Final winning side, starting a hooker in the side's 17-16 victory over the Brisbane Broncos. Granville set up Justin O'Neill and James Tamou for the Cowboys' first two tries of the match and was a candidate to win the Clive Churchill Medal, which eventually went to co-captain Johnathan Thurston.
At the Cowboys awards night on 9 October, half a week after the club's Grand Final victory, Granville was named North Queensland's Player's Player of the Year. Granville finished runner-up in the Cowboys Player of the Year voting, just falling one point short to co-captain Johnathan Thurston.
On 27 October, The Courier-Mail listed Granville as the NRL's best hooker. On 27 November, Granville extended his contract with the Cowboys to the end of 2018.

2016

On 12 January, Granville was selected in the QAS Emerging Origin squad. On 21 February, he was a member of the Cowboys' 2016 World Club Challenge winning side, starting at hooker in the side's 38-4 victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Headingley Stadium. On 5 May, he was named at hooker in QRL journalist Tony Webeck's Queensland Residents team of the past 10 years.

2017

In January, Granville was once again selected in the QAS Emerging Origin squad. On 1 October, Granville started at hooker in the Cowboys' 2017 NRL Grand Final loss to the Melbourne Storm. He finished the 2017 season having playing 24 games, starting all at hooker, and scoring four tries.

2018

Granville played all 24 games for the Cowboys in 2018, starting at hooker in every game and scoring one try. In Round 13, he played his 100th NRL game in the Cowboys' 26–12 win over the Manly Sea Eagles. In Round 24, he played his 100th NRL game for the Cowboys in their 44–6 win over the Parramatta Eels.

2019

For the second consecutive year, Granville played in all 24 of the Cowboys' games, starting at hooker in all but one game.

2020

In February, Granville was a member of the Cowboys' 2020 NRL Nines winning squad.

Achievements and accolades

Individual

NRL

†Denotes seasons in which Granville won an NRL Premiership

Personal life

Granville is engaged to Zoe Hunt, the sister of St George Illawarra Dragons halfback Ben Hunt.