Grant Denyer has shocked friends and fans after sharing a series of throwback images revealing the TV veteran’s ‘hidden past’ with the NRL’s State of Origin.
The Deal or No Deal presenter, 46, acted as a ball boy during the notorious clash between the Blues and Maroons at the MCG in 1995.
The bloody match turned into an all-out brawl within minutes of kickoff and has since become one of the most memorable games in the history of the game.
A series of images show a barely recognizable 16-year-old Grant in a pair of tight shorts about to run onto the field.
Another photo shows the fresh-faced blonde on the sidelines in his ballboy uniform watching the referee call a play after a tackle during another game in the series.
Grant posted the photos to his Instagram ahead of NSW State of Origin’s impressive victory over Brisbane in Melbourne on Wednesday.
“It’s an absolutely crazy experience to be chosen as a ball boy and be there for the sport’s last big fight,” Grant wrote in the caption.
Grant Denyer has shocked fans after sharing a series of throwback images revealing the TV veteran’s ‘hidden past’ with the NRL’s State of Origin.
“It was crazy,” he continued.
“You could feel the tension in the rooms with the players before the game and there were rumors that it was going to start early… and 4 minutes into the second game of the series, it just exploded! It was huge.
‘The sound of bodies against bodies was deafening, it was crazy!’
The Deal or No Deal presenter, 46, acted as a ball boy during the infamous clash between the Blues and Maroons at the MCG in 1995. Pictured: Grant is seen on the bench, far right, during a match in the series.
Queensland ended up winning the game against NSW and took the series in 1995.
Grant added that he had ball boy duties during three State of Origin games and two international Tests in the 1990s.
He closed his post with a tribute to his selectors for their incredible experience, which he said inspired him to give car racing a try.
A series of images show a barely recognizable 16-year-old Grant in a pair of tight shorts about to run onto the field.
“Recognize young children, give them opportunities and that can really change lives,” he said.
The followers were excited by the action.
“Shit, bro, that’s all the time,” Osher Günsberg posted from the Bachelor.
Meanwhile, other fans mocked Grant for his teenage appearance.
‘Do you still have those shorts? Asking for a friend,’ one follower joked, while another posted: ‘I haven’t changed one bit.’
Meanwhile, his wife Chezzi seemed impressed with her husband’s shapely legs.
“Wowie legs 11,” he said on Grant’s message board.
It comes after the former Seven stalwart expressed his “surprise” that the makers of the new Top Gear Australia never asked him to audition for the famous motoring show.
The Deal or No Deal host, widely known for his motorsport skills, admitted he would have loved to have been asked to appear on the popular lifestyle series, which is currently streaming on Paramount+.
“It would be fun,” Grant said in an interview with TV Tonight.
The former TV meteorologist added that he was envious of the new hosts of the fan-favorite reboot, which features Beau Ryan, Jonathan LaPaglia and Blair Joscelyne.
Grant’s wife, Chezzi, seemed impressed with her husband’s shapely legs.
“I get really jealous when I see all the clips of them in exotic locations around the world driving amazing machines,” he said.
During the interview, Grant speculated that a gig on Top Gear might have clashed with his Deal or No Deal filming.
The Dancing With the Stars winner was announced as the new host of Channel 10’s Deal or No Deal reboot in October 2023.
The game show originally aired on Channel Seven and was hosted by Andrew O’Keefe before being axed in 2014 after running for a decade.
