Brisbane Broncos bank on pace to put wind up Gold Coast Titans - Courier Mail

The Brisbane Broncos are set to unleash pace machine Jake Granville against the Gold Coast Titans. Picture: Jono Searle Source: The Courier-Mail

THE Broncos will tonight unleash a 24-year-old rated among the fastest rugby league players over 20m.

Jake Granville has battled away in the Intrust Super Cup for the past four seasons with many good judges puzzled that he had not received a call up to the NRL.

The promotion has finally come and he will fill the Broncos' bench utility role against the Titans at Suncorp Stadium, with Ben Hunt promoted to the starting team to replace injured Scott Prince.

Wynnum Manly utility Granville was the Intrust Super Cup player of the year in 2011.

He played hooker for the Broncos in the National Youth Competition in 2009.

It was not until he began playing fullback for ex-Seagulls coach and current Sydney Roosters under-20 coach Paul Green that his talents blossomed.

Former Maroons halfback Green used Granville as a fullback in defence and hooker in attack in 2011, a dual role that has only been performed occasionally by established stars such as Billy Slater and Kurt Gidley.

Green said Granville's electric speed off the mark was the key to his ability in both positions and said there would be few NRL players faster than him over 20m.

"I struggle to think of anyone quicker off the mark, especially as far as hookers go, although James Segeyaro is pretty quick," Green said.

"I thought he would get a go (in NRL) earlier, especially with his form last year, but it is good to see him getting a chance and I know he will take it. He is NRL quality.

"We lost six in a row to start 2011 and then Jake began playing that fullback-hooker role and we ended up winning the premiership."

Broncos coach Anthony Griffin said Granville's energy and enthusiasm made him an excellent prospect and said he would likely fill in for hooker Andrew McCullough during tonight's match.

"He's a livewire," Griffin said. "He's a real competitor and has speed.

"He played hooker here in the 20s with Kurt Baptiste in the last year I coached them and then went to Queensland Cup and played fullback.

"He's a good, tough, kid and if he gets a chance, he won't let us down."

Griffin heaped praise on the player Granville will likely mark tonight, Titans hooker Beau Falloon.

"Since he's got his chance he's played really well," Griffin said. "They are a very big team and lead the league in off-loads.

"In the first round we did a good job against them and we will have to do it again."

Source:http://goldcoasthub.blogspot.com/2013/05/brisbane-broncos-bank-on-pace-to-put.html

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