Ex-Giants and Bulldogs midfielder Ryan Griffen back home to play for Goolwa/Port Elliot

Former AFL captain Ryan Griffen will swap the demands of being an elite athlete for beach and farm life in his hometown when he returns to his junior club next season.

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Former AFL captain Ryan Griffen will swap the demands of being an elite athlete for beach and farm life in his hometown Goolwa when he returns to his junior club next season.

Goolwa/Port Elliot announced the signing of the retired GWS Giants midfielder and former Western Bulldogs skipper on Sunday.

The 32-year-old’s family is based in SA and he will play at the Magpies with his younger brother, Trent.

Ryan Griffen walks off with Giants coach Leon Cameron after GWS’ semi-final loss to Collingwood, Griffen’s last AFL game. Picture: AAP/Julian Smith.

Griffen is the highest-profile recruit so far this off-season in SA footy, including the SANFL.

During his 13 AFL seasons, he played 257 games, captained the Bulldogs, won two Charlie Sutton medals (Dogs’ best and fairests) and was an All-Australian in 2013.

Goolwa/Port Elliot president Ryan Bridges said Griffen’s decision to come back to the club, two months after retiring from the top level, could not have come at a better time.

The Magpies were winless this year and finished bottom of the GSFL ladder.

“We had four seasons in-a-row playing finals … but this season we stripped it right back, didn’t pay players and just went with locals,” Bridges said.

“We didn’t win a game so it’s a rebuild at the moment.

“Ryan coming to play will be a massive boost for the rebuild, we’ve already got sponsors lining up and it will help with recruitment as well.

“It couldn’t have come at a better time.”

The Griffen name is synonymous with Goolwa/Port Elliot.

Trent and their older brother Travis, who is retired, are both life members of the Magpies.

Griffen pictured at Goolwa before the 2004 AFL Draft.

Griffen cut his teeth in the Panthers’ underage teams.

The Griffen name is synonymous with Goolwa/Port Elliot.

Trent and their older brother Travis, who is retired, are both life members of the Magpies.

Griffen played at the club before progressing to South Adelaide’s underage sides, SA teams and eventually the AFL, landing at the Bulldogs via pick No.3 in the 2004 national draft.

“With his brothers and family here he always comes back to Goolwa for Christmas in the off-season,” Bridges said.

“I personally thought he might come back to just play a one-off game but it seems like he’s keen for more than that, which is great for the club.

“A lot of people comment on his body and his injuries, but if he can carry an injury into an AFL preliminary final, I think he’ll cope okay in the Great Southern Footy League.”

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