Premiership player Jake Granville to leave Cowboys
NRL premiership winner Jake Granville has played his last game for North Queensland but will pursue playing opportunities overseas in 2025.
Granville, the NRL’s third-oldest active player at 35, appeared a chance of retiring from rugby league after suffering a season-ending pectoral injury in last week’s defeat of Wests Tigers.
Instead, the off-contract hooker is keen to relocate his family overseas for a rugby league swansong.
“I am hoping to explore opportunities to finish my career overseas, which I think would be a great experience for our family,” Granville said.
“When I arrived in North Queensland, I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to play 10 seasons for the Cowboys.
“I’ve loved every second of my time at the club and I’m sad to be leaving, but I know this is the right time.”
Granville’s move leaves Jason Taumalolo and Kyle Feldt as the only members of the Cowboys’ maiden premiership win to remain at the club, after James Tamou retired last year.
Granville was among the Cowboys’ best players in that 2015 defeat of intrastate rivals Brisbane, often rated one of the modern era’s greatest grand finals.
In total, Granville made 207 appearances for the Cowboys, with whom he finally became a consistent first-grader following years toiling for opportunities in Brisbane.
Aside from his role in the grand-final victory, Granville will be remembered for his versatility – he is one of few players to have started a premiership game at both fullback and front row.
The Cowboys intend to farewell Granville at their final home game of the season against Melbourne in round 26.
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