Granville 200: Milestone awaits Cowboys' Mr Fix It

Examples of those who have played both fullback and prop are particularly rare in the modern game, with Matt Adamson, Jason Croker, Joe Galuvao and Kyle Warren joining Granville among the versatile few. 

The only position Granville is yet to play at first grade level is wing, and he admits at this point of his career it's about the only thing he's probably not up to try if coach Todd Payten asks. 

The Rockhampton Brothers product has always had a knack for transitioning between highly specialised positions on a rugby league field, and back in the early 2010s he would regularly play a dual fullback-hooker role in games for Wynnum-Manly in the Queensland Cup. 

"I've learned a few new positions and stuff which is refreshing and his helped me with longevity in my career," Granville said. 

"Having that refreshing [of a] role... they've all been pretty good."

In Townsville 'Jakey' is known for his relaxed demeanor.

He speaks at a casual pace, with a friendly smile sitting under a mass of curls, and he's almost always down for a long chat about anything to do with rugby league.

"We always make a joke that if someone says 'Jakey Granville, Wynnum Manly' while out and about he will stop and have a deadset 30-minute conversation with them," long-time teammate Coen Hess said. 

"Every time he runs out onto the field, whether he starts or is coming off the bench, he gets a standing ovation. 

The crowd love him, we love him, the club loves him. He's just a guy that you need in every team.

Coen Hess

On the field the nice guy persona ends though, and despite his modest 84kg, 174cm frame, fullback Scott Drinkwater reckons he hits as hard as anyone, even when he's defending in the domain of the giants as a prop or lock. 

"He gets out there and refuses to let anyone down and never gives up on a play," Drinkwater said.

"The smallest player on the field [but] he hits the hardest.

To do what he's doing still at his age – and to play in the middle, stepping up against big boys and getting stuck into them – he is the true definition of a Cowboy.

Scott Drinkwater

"We owe him a big one this weekend."

After starting his NRL career in Brisbane – playing 10 games across two seasons after coming through the club's U-20 team – Granville has called Townsville home since 2015 

Having , his 10th season with the Cowboys next year is likely to be his last, with the 34-year-old just 11 games short of reaching 200 for the club and earning automatic life membership. 

With North Queensland riding a five-game winning streak heading into Round 21, success this season remains a very real prospect, but regardless of what happens from now until retirement he will go down as one of the club's greatest servants and forever be remembered for his role in the 2015 Premiership victory. 

The feeling is mutual too, with Granville full of praise for the local community in Townsville. 

"It's been such a good place for me and I have enjoyed my time here. It's been a massive part of my life and for my family," he said. 

"The whole area, the community, appealed to us as a family and it's similar to where I grew up, Yeppoon in Rockhampton.

"It's probably the longest place I've lived in my life now.

"I'm very grateful and privileged to be part of such a good club."

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of