Mitch Grigg joins Athelstone Raggies, Adelaide Footy League for season 2023

He’s only just finished celebrating a 2022 premiership but this former Crow has signed with his local childhood club for season 2023, following in his late father’s footsteps.

A former Crow and ex-SANFL great has joined an Adelaide Footy League club for 2023 just two weeks after celebrating a Hills Football League premiership.

Mitch Grigg – a dual Magarey Medallist and Jack Oatey Medallist with Norwood – has signed with division two club Athelstone, his junior stomping ground and his late father Chris’ club.

Chris ‘Doc’ Grigg – who recently passed away after a long battle with MND – was an Athelstone legend who won six club Best and Fairests, two league Best and Fairests and two premierships with the Raggies.

The move comes just weeks after Grigg won Best and Fairest at the Lobethal Tigers and, along with best mate and playing-coach Aidan Riley, helped them to their first HFL premiership in 20 years with a dramatic victory over Hahndorf.

Norwood great Mitch Grigg will pull on the boots for Athelstone next year in the Adelaide Footy League. Picture: Sarah Reed

“I suppose joining Athelstone was always in my plans since retiring from Norwood but I had a few chats with my old man at first and he urged me to play with Aidan (Riley) at Lobethal – you never know when you might get that opportunity to play with your best mate again,” Grigg said.

“I absolutely loved my time at Lobethal, the people were great and it’s such a connected club, but with how sick dad was getting I probably thought it would be the right time to join Raggies next year and he’d see me play for them again.

“Obviously that won’t be the case now but I spoke with him and told him I was going to join and he was really proud.”

Mitch Grigg's late father Chris during his time at Athelstone. He was a six-time club best and fairest and dual premiership winner with the Raggies. Picture: Supplied, Athelstone Football Club

Chris Grigg at Athelstone after the club held a fundraiser for Motor Neurone Disease in 2018. Picture: Roy Vandervegt

The last time Grigg played for Athelstone was as a 14-year-old in 2007 when he ran out alongside his father during his 200th game.

He said he wanted to live up to the legacy Chris left at the club as it aims for promotion to division one.

“The club meant so much to him and it was like another family to us,” he said.

“I want to be able to follow on from what he did for the club and hopefully achieve success as well.

Norwood star Mitch Grigg and his father Chris as ambassadors for SockIt2MND. Mitch wearing blue socks which Norwood wore to raise awareness, while his father wears an Athlestone top. Picture: Dean Martin

“It’s the club which started my career and I want to have an impact. If I can help develop some younger guys and get the club back to div one it’d be fantastic.”

Grigg will be rejoining former Raggies and Norwood teammate Luke Rander at Athelstone and will also play against long-time Norwood teammates Cam Shenton and Lewis Johnston when he comes up against Golden Grove.

“I won a junior flag with Luke (Rander) back in the day with Norwood and Athelstone and I’m definitely looking forward to playing against Shentsy (Cam Shenton) and Lewi (Lewis Johnston) who are both coming off winning a premiership – there’ll be a bit of banter,” he said.

“It’s going to be a fun and challenging year and hopefully I can bring some success and happiness to the club.”