‘Definitely in the equation’: Kangaroos stars reveal contract stances
Kangaroos winger Jack Bostock says he’s yet to decide his playing future, as Australian teammate Harry Grant shed light on the motives that would dictate his next move.
The off-contract pair have thrown their focus on Australia’s Rugby League World Cup final clash against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, before attention will turn to their future in the NRL.
Bostock has been heavily linked to a shift away from the Dolphins to a host of New South Wales clubs – spearheaded by his junior outfit, the Dragons – while Grant is in the Gold Coast Titans’ sights.
Bostock’s asking price has only risen since returning from a ruptured ACL in round nine, in a season that has included a Blues debut and seven tries in four World Cup appearances.
His form has tightened the retention battle of the Dolphins, who have re-signed Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow but are yet to secure the in-demand Herbie Farnworth, among other off-contract stars.
Bostock is adamant he has made no definitive call on where he will sign his next deal, while stressing the Redcliffe-based side remained well in the hunt for his services.
“Apparently … I’m going to [every club], so I’m not too sure – maybe I’m going to play three or four games at each club in 2028,” he joked.
“I’ve made it pretty clear the whole time my focus is on the World Cup, and then after the World Cup, contracts will be sorted. There’s a lot that goes into it, but it shouldn’t be too far after the World Cup [when I decide].
“I love it up here [in Queensland], so the Dolphins are still definitely in the equation. I’ve seen a lot of people jump to the conclusion when I said I was going to the open market, and they’ve pencilled that in as I’m leaving the Dolphins, but that’s definitely not the case.”
Meanwhile, Grant’s decision not to take up a player option in his favour with the Melbourne Storm for 2028 has added his name to the free agency market.
The hooker is likely to command north of $1 million a season, regardless of whether he remains in Victoria or seeks a change of scenery, leading to suggestions a lifestyle shift could shape the avid surfer’s path.
But Grant, who is yet to win a premiership, despite becoming a State of Origin and Test football mainstay, stressed ambition would ultimately be the most compelling factor in his decision.
“I’m committed to being the best version of myself as a rugby league player. A lot of talk has been around surfboards and surfing, but I think ultimately, I just want to get the best out of my career as a rugby league player.
“I want to win, I want to compete, and ultimately, that will be where my heart lies.”
When asked if there was a lure of returning to Queensland, Grant simply said: “I’m worried about footy, I’m worried about rugby league right now and the World Cup.”
While the Storm have long been a powerhouse of the competition, their crash back to reality in 2026 has opened the door for similarly struggling clubs to prove they have compelling goals for Grant to consider.
Melbourne were forced to endure the shock of coach Craig Bellamy’s diagnosis with a neurodegenerative disorder and the loss of star edge forward Eli Katoa after suffering a brain bleed during last year’s Pacific Championships campaign with Tonga.
The Titans, meanwhile, have wallowed in the NRL’s bottom four for the past five seasons but have the nucleus of a talented spine that Grant could inspire: halfback Zane Harrison, five-eighth Jayden Campbell, and fullback Keano Kini.
Grant, however, said nothing had changed in Melbourne to suggest their best days were behind them as a club, and a departure was no fait accompli, given his tight relationship with chairman Matt Tripp, director of football Frank Ponissi, and Bellamy.
“Nothing has changed, it’s been a learning process as a leader and as a player,” he said.
“Early on in the year, you understand how much winning games does mean to you and what it does take to win, and I think we had a different year and a different journey in that regard.
“But that’s all behind us now, and when it comes time to knuckle down and get back to work, we’ll do that. There are a number of guys down there working at the moment, but my focus is on the World Cup and the opportunity we’ve got here.”
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