Melbourne hooker Harry Grant has requested an immediate release in a bid to join Wests Tigers for the upcoming season.

And if the joint-venture club doesn't get its man, Billy Walters - the son of Queensland coach Kevin - is firming to start the year in the No.9 jersey.

Grant was poised to be part of an historic "loan" arrangement that would have resulted in a player swap with Tigers centre Paul Momirovski for the 2020 season before the players returned to their original clubs in November. However, the NRL blocked the move, ruling the Storm didn’t have the salary cap space required to make it happen.

Grant officially requested a release from the Storm on Monday, with a view to returning to the club at the end of the season. However, the timing isn’t likely to help his cause.