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State of Origin LIVE: Channel Nine star gets blasted for calling one of Queensland's best players a cheat

Phil Gould blasted for calling Harry Grant a cheat

Harry Grant of the Maroons plays the ball during State of Origin Game 2 between the NSW Blues and the Queensland Maroons at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

The former NSW coach turned Channel Nine star called Grant a cheat twice on Channel Nine on Monday night as he stirred up Queenslanders and accused the Maroons hooker of being a master of the dark art of influencing referees.

The Queensland camp hasn’t responded but Storm Matt Tripp backed Melbourne’s star and had a shot at the Bulldogs boss.

‘This is what we’ve come to expect from Gus. We couldn’t care less what he has to say,’ Tripp told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘This time last year Gus said Harry was Queensland’s best player to try and put pressure on him, and unnerve him.

‘Now he’s doing the same thing but this time calling him a cheat in the hope he gets under his skin.

‘To call him a cheat is pretty ridiculous. It certainly hasn’t annoyed Harry.’

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