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

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.’