Headgear Harry: Grant trains in Queenland Maroons' Origin decider boost

Sporting fresh headgear, Harry Grant has trained strongly in a sign he will overcome a sternum injury and play for Queensland in the State of Origin decider.

But Brisbane’s NRL forwards stocks have taken another hit with back rower Brendan Piakura, part of the Maroons’ extended squad, injured in a physical opposed session at Sanctuary Cove on Thursday.

Melbourne hooker Grant has missed the last two NRL games with the issue, with Canterbury No.9 Reed Mahoney in the squad as cover ahead of next Wednesday’s Brisbane decider.

But on Thursday, donning headgear to protect a fresh Origin scar, Grant, pictured, was all smiles as he completed a session that included a full-contact hit-out against Queensland Cup outfit Wynnum-Manly

“He probably trained a bit more than he’d have liked, but he didn’t complain, didn’t look out of shape,” Maroons teammates Valentine Holmes said of Grant.

“It’s probably just the headgear that looks a bit different on him ... maybe he wants to be like KP (Kalyn Ponga, a noted headgear wearer).”

Centre Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (shoulder), who also hasn’t played at club level since the Maroons’ game-two loss in Melbourne, also took his place.

But Broncos weapon Piakura, defending against his Maroons teammates for the Seagulls, hobbled off and iced his ankle after a Reuben Cotter tackle.

There was optimism in Maroons camp the injury was not serious, a low-profile Brisbane coach Kevin Walters among the fans leaning on the fence on Thursday.

Piakura’s fitness is another headache for the coach ahead of Saturday’s date with St George Illawarra with Brisbane out to snap a five-game losing streak. “I saw him hobbling,” winger Holmes said.

“He hurt his ankle a bit; hopefully it’s not too bad, if you’re a Broncos fan.”

Grant’s apparent health was better news though, his one-two punch with starting hooker Ben Hunt effective in his 10 Origin appearances.

Meanwhile in the Blue Mountains, NSW have blasted speakers and turned up the volume in an attempt to prepare for the ferocity of a parochial crowd at Suncorp Stadium.

Blues players had their first full opposed sessions on Thursday against a St Marys side featuring Stephen Crichton’s brother Christian.

Bradman Best again sat out training as Blues officials managed his tight hamstring, while Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was back.

Rock music blasted from the speakers at Blue Mountains Grammar, before the players ran out, while a loud crowd noise with drums beating and different play calls were heard.

“It’s going to be loud up there. It’s just helping us be able to adapt to the noise, being able to talk out there to each other,” half-back Mitch Moses said.