Broncos continue their recruitment and retention drive with signing of rookie utility Jake Granville Jake Granville at Brisbane Broncos training. THE Broncos have continued their recruitment and retention drive with rookie utility Jake Granville shunning interest from the Cowboys to remain at Red Hill. On a day when Brisbane announced the prize signing of Ben Barba, Granville has secured his own future by inking a one-year deal with the Broncos. The 24-year-old may lack the profile and panache of Barba but like the reigning Dally M Medallist, Granville has a golden opportunity at the Broncos in 2014. While Andrew McCullough is entrenched as Brisbane's first-choice hooker, Peter Wallace's departure to Penrith at season's end has opened the door for Granville to claim an interchange role. Granville's energy out of dummy half piqued the interest of the Cowboys, but the pint-sized Rockhampton junior stayed loyal after celebrating his NRL breakthrough this season. "It was good to get it (contract talks) over and done with, I'm just looking forward to next year now," said Granville, who has played two games this season after making his NRL debut against the Titans in round 10. It wasn't too nerve-racking being off-contract. It was nice to know another club had some interest, but I was happy to stay at the Broncos and give it a good crack next year. Macca (McCullough) is doing a good job at hooker but hopefully I can get a few games in that (interchange) role next season. Growing up, Granville, who is on the verge of completing a carpentry apprenticeship, was a committed Broncos fan. And given he stands at 172cm, it comes as no surprise that he idolised Brisbane's greatest little legend, 165cm former halfback Allan Langer. For Granville, Langer is the most emphatic evidence that size is no impediment to success in the NRL. "I loved watching "Alfie." Being little like him, I guess he was the one guy that inspired me," he said. I was always a fan of the Broncos, I remember going to the 1997 Super League grand final at ANZ Stadium (against the Sharks). Being at the Broncos has improved me a fair bit. I've learned a lot from the senior players and I've put on 3kg since I've been here which has helped my game. Granville, who attended St Brendan's Yeppoon and played in the same school side as Titans hulk Dave Taylor, admits the NRL is a significant step up from the Intrust Super Cup. "It's a lot quicker in the NRL," he said. When I played those couple of games earlier in the year I was pretty stuffed after a short period of time, whereas I play 80 minutes on the weekend in Queensland Cup. Everything is a lot faster and more intense, but it's made me a better player and hopefully I can take another step next year.