But the 21-year-old Dunedin-based goal defence proved her worth with an outstanding performance to help the Steel prevail in a thrilling 47-46 win over the Melbourne Vixens in Invercargill last weekend.
Her assignment was one of the hardest in the game - shut down goal attack Sharelle McMahon.
Mission impossible, really, but the player nicknamed Pole, for her lanky 1.85m physique, more than held her own against her classy opponent.
"It was intense, I can tell you that much," Grant said of the match-up.
"It was the most . . . [tired] I've been after a netball game. It felt like an international but it was just an awesome experience to play against her.
"She would run from one side of the court to the other and it was so tiring just keeping up with her."
While Grant was run ragged on defence she never shirked her responsibility on attack.
Most of the accolades were dished out to rookie goal attack Julianna Naoupu, who sank a goal in the final seconds to seal the win.
But Grant and Erika Burgess worked tirelessly backing up their team-mates and provided some good link play.
For Grant the performance helped erased a painful memory.
The Silver Ferns squad member made a slow start to the inaugural tournament.
The Steel played the New South Wales Swifts in Sydney in round one and Grant had a forgettable debut.
The sides were locked 23-23 when she took the court but her introduction was followed by a series of penalties.
The Steel lost the match 42-53 and Grant had to wait until round three for an opportunity to redeem herself.
"That first game I played was just shocking. I played terribly but I'm pretty stoked how I've been improving."
The win over the Vixens was a morale-booster for the Steel, which should go into the game against the West Coast Fever in Dunedin on Monday as favourite.
But Grant expects a tight match.
"I think they are very dangerous. Their goal shooter [Caitlin Bassett] is extremely tall and they've got a fast goal attack.
"In defence they've got the Fuhrminator, Susan Fuhrmann, up the back, so they'll be tough."
It is the first time the Otago-Southland combined side will play in Dunedin and the Dunedin-based players are looking forward to playing at home.
"I can't wait. It will be so awesome to have our friends around us."
The Steel players get three tickets to dish out but Grant has convinced some of her Auckland-based team-mates to give up their tickets for redistribution to her flatmates and family.
