The first captain for the Canberra Raiders and one of the greatest Indigenous league Legends of all time – David ‘NANA’ Grant David Nana Grant was born in 1956 in Trangie, NSW. He was the youngest child of Alfred and Kathleen Grant. In 1972 and at the age of 16, Grant played his first game of Rugby League for the Dubbo Simms. He was described as a flat footed youngster that played on the wing. Showing incredible strength with speed, Grant was quickly moved to play in the back row. Within 2 years and still in his teens, grant was selected to represent the regional country squad where he was spotted and recruited by South Sydney Rabbitohs Coach and ex International, Johnny King. In 1976 and within 4 years of playing his first game of rugby league, Grant was running on the field for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NSWRL competition as a back rower. At the Rabbitohs, Grant played off the bench. He played a handful of games and a year later he signed a one year contract with the Sydney Roosters. Again Grant was used of the bench and played out his year contract. The two years playing at the elite level gave Grant an opportunity to be noticed by Ron Wiley, the Balmain Tigers Coach. In 1978 at the age of 22, Grant signed a three year contract with the Balmain Tigers as a back rower and played under the guidance of Coach, Ron Wiley. During the previous two years playing the NSWRL competition, Grant had endured the rigorous training regimes and built his body for the job. By 1978, Grant had evolved into a big strong player, with broad shoulders and thick muscular legs. He was ready for challenge. His winger background influenced his running of the ball, with big left and right steps that came with big left or right fensd. Grant would literally bend his body into his fend, putting distance between the tackler and his legs. Most of the time pushing potential tacklers off their feet. His speed also stayed with him, running with long strides. Grant had the option of either running around or through tacklers. A rare ability found amongst a handful of legendary players. Once he got around you, it was a task trying to catch him. At the Tigers, Grant was a mainstay in the first grade line up, playing alongside legends such as, Percy Knight, Larry Corowa, Warren Boland, Alan McMahn and Les Mara. Grant soon became known as an aggressive, fearless, no nonsense player. He didn’t tolerate stiff arms or the occasional punch. If he was hit hard, he would hit back twice as hard. Grant soon gained an image as a Bad Boy, often being sent to the bench to take a break for retaliating to cheap shots and dirty plays. Grant’s consistent power running and hard defense earned him respect among team-mates, the opposition and especially the coaches. This would also influence other players and would sometime determine the outcome of the game. In 1981, Grant was rewarded by being selected to tour New Zealand with the Sydney representative team. When the NSWRL approved a proposal to expand the competition to include two new clubs, the Illawarra Steelers and the Canberra Raiders in 1981 into the competition, Don Furner was appointed as the first head coach for the Raiders. In 1981, Don Furner along with his selectors began recruiting players to make up the new Raiders Squad. One of their first tasks was to select a leader for their new team. They needed a player that could lead the team into battle and also be influential with attracting other players to join the new squad. They overwhelmingly selected Grant as their new captain. To Grants credit he was one of, if not the first player to be selected to represent the new Raiders Team. In 1982 and after 5 years of playing rugby league at the elite level, David Grant was now the first Captain of a new NSWRL team, the Canberra Raiders. This was a monumental achievement in Grant’s rugby league career and an historical landmark in the Raiders history. On the 27th of February 1982, in front of over 20,000 spectators at the Redfern Oval, Grant led the Canberra Raiders onto the field to take on South Sydney Rabbitohs. Don Furner Jnr later captain / coach for the Raiders, was the Ball Boy while his father sat of the sideline as the Raiders coach. It was a competitive match, with the Rabbitohs winning the game. Although the Raiders lost, they put all other NSWRL club on notice. They were a legitimate team with brute power up front and speed in the back line. The captaincy forced Grant to settle his aggression and he focused more on encouraging and mentoring his players. His determination and dedication was at the forefront of his playing style. The bad boy stigma attached to him during his Balmain days, soon faded as players got to know him on a personal level. He was known to be a supportive captain both on and off the field. Grant mentored players such as Craig Bellamy, Melbourne Storm Coach, Ivan Hinjack - ex Brisbane Broncos coach and Chris OSullivan. The Raiders debut season was a mixed bag. They demolished some of the top teams but earned the wooden spoon at the end of the season. In 1983, the captaincy was handed over to ex international fullback, Allan McMahon. Although Grant was no longer the Clubs Captain, he was still considered as the leader for the forward pack. Grant also took this opportunity focus on his own game. Grant would spend time on the bench and on four occasions for 10 minutes at a time. The first was in 1982, in round 22 against the Newtown Jets. During the game, Phil Gould retaliated after being hit hard by Grant. Gould’s retaliation caused Grant to deck him with a straight right, landing Grant on the bench for 10 minutes. Again in 1984, a similar situation occurred, this time big Darryl Brohman was the victim and again Grant taking a 10 minute rest. Peter Tunks, Bulldogs front row and David Hatch also became victims of Grants aggression. Grant’s trademark was a tape wrapped around his head. The tape protected his ears when locking into the scrum, and on one occasion it protected a wound that would require 37 stitches. It was during a game against the Parramatta Eels, when Grant charged the line early in the game. Three Eels players were ready to defend their line. Running at full pace towards the line, Grant unexpectedly launched himself, diving towards the line and knocking the three defenders out of the way and scoring. Chris Phelan, defending the line for Parramatta threw a stiff arm that landed on Grants forehead. Blood started dripping from under the tape on his head. Grant played on until half time, when the taped was unwrapped it revealed a large would. During halftime the medics inserted 10 stitches to close the wound and grant returned to the field and played the remainder of the game. After the game, a total of 37 stitched were required to close the wound. Commentator Ray Warren said that if Grant was performing at the Olympics, his dive would’ve earned him a gold medal. This was an example of Grant’s determination with no fear. He was prepared to sacrifice his body for the team. In today’s game, the player would’ve been pulled of the field sent to hospital and rested until his injury was healed. Not David Grant, he endured the pain and led his team to victory. In 1985 after playing out his three year contract with the Raiders, Grant had the option of coaching either Ballina or Kyogle. Grant picked Kyogle, and moved his young family to their new home. At Kyogle, Grant worked as Manager and Barman at Kyogles Top Pub, whilst he took on his new role as Captain Coach for the Kyogle Turkeys. During his time there he took the Kyogle Turkeys to the grand finals, but they would lose to Marist Brothers. Grant was deeply respected and was a well known player / mentor in the Northern Rivers RL competition. Grant was also selected to play for the Northern Rivers team, playing a key role with winning the prestigious country division championship for the first time. Grant married his sweetheart Louise in Sydney before they moved to Canberra and they had four children, Matthew, Laura, Luke and Ebony. Grant also raised his niece Leah Bevan. Sadly in 1994 at the young age of 38, and after contributing nineteen distinguished years to the sport of rugby league, Grant passed away from a Heart Attack, leaving behind a legacy as the first Captain for the Canberra Raiders, a great player and leader, a top bloke, a wonderful father and a loving husband. Grant was a pioneer for the Raiders and an outstanding ambassador for his people. It is without doubt that David Grant as an Indigenous man, a fearless leader and a respectful family man has set the standards for what many of us try to achieve. Over the past few weeks, I’ve spoken to many legends of the game about David Grant and several things stood out. He was humble, highly respectful and a true gentleman. But he was also the most feared man on the field. Every time you watch the Raiders run onto the field, think of the man that started it all, one of the greatest Indigenous League Legends of all time, David’ Nana’ Grant. Indigenous League legends would like to thank the Grant Family for their assistance with developing this story and would like to especially thank Laura for her contribution and guidance. #IndigenousLeagueLegend #DavidGrant #CanberraRaidersCaptains
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 08:32:49 +0000
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