The last time Harry Grant lined up against Damien Cook the veteran South Sydney hooker took time after the match to give the youngster some friendly words of advice.
But after Grant steered Queensland's State of Origin team to a series win over Cook's NSW in a game-breaking performance, he may not be so forthcoming on Thursday night when Melbourne and the Rabbitohs meet at Stadium Australia.
An injured Grant missed their round one meeting - when the Storm inflicted Souths' only loss of the season.
They squared off last year when Grant was on loan to the Wests Tigers.
"He was great last year - the thing I liked about Damien was that just having a chat with him after the game, he was so friendly," Grant said on Monday.
"He had a bit of advice and we had a chat about footy and life."
Grant said he'd long admired Cook, and while he couldn't match the electric No.9 for speed out of dummy-half, tried to take other features of Cook's game to use as his own.
"He's a lot quicker than me - as far as a running dummy-half he's definitely the best in the game," Grant said.
"I've got to change a few things around my game - I can't base it solely off what he does - but I can take parts and build on it.
"I'm not trying to compete against Damien, I'm just trying to contribute to the team but he's such a weapon for them he will certainly feature in a lot of our reviews this week."
A target for the Sharks forwards last Friday, Grant dislocated his pinky finger in the 40-14 win but said it was an injury he had suffered before and could manage.
The match was the 23-year-old's first start at hooker for the Storm, although he'd worn the No.9 jumper during his loan season with Wests Tigers last year.
He finished with three try assists to continue his impressive season.
But Storm coach Craig Bellamy said after the game his choice of starting hooker, between Grant and Brandon Smith, would be a week by week proposition.
"I'm a bit used to coming into the game when the sting is taken out of the game a little bit and Brandon's (Smith) done all the tough stuff," Grant said.
"It was definitely different but I've pulled up pretty good."
Melbourne are hopeful of having giant prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona and winger George Jennings available (both concussion) while star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen (shoulder) is no certainty to play.
Australian Associated Press
