West Adelaide signs speedy NT midfielder/forward Domonic Grant, likened to Hawk great Cyril Rioli
West Adelaide’s bid to return to SANFL finals action for the first time since 2015 has received a boost after signing a young gun with skills likened to a four-time premiership Hawk.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- The Advertiser reveals its 2020 sporting predictions
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
A former Essendon player once likened West Adelaide’s latest recruit Domonic Grant to four-times premiership Hawk and Norm Smith Medallist Cyril Rioli.
Ex-Wanderers coach and Bombers 100-gamer Dean Rioli said Grant’s defensive pressure through the midfield, along with his pace and evasiveness made him similar to the Hawthorn great.
AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan also had big raps on Grant’s talent, saying on the AFL website in 2017 he was “as hard as a cat’s head”.
Stream over 50 sports live and on demand with KAYO SPORTS. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly.
But the Northern Territory product suffered a serious foot injury that same year and AFL clubs overlooked him at the national and rookie drafts. Now the 21-year-old, who can also play half-forward and in defence, is determined to get his football back on track and help the Bloods to their first SANFL finals appearance since 2015.
“That’s a big call, I say (being compared to Cyril Rioli),” Grant says.
“I am really close with junior boy (Cyril) back home and I was training with him earlier last year before I came to Adelaide.
“I’d love to get up to his standard – but for now I am just worrying about getting my body back on track.
“That was a difficult time for me as it was in my draft year and I was struggling with a foot injury.
“I had stress fractures in my feet – but I’m on top of that now.
“Westies have given me a lot of help with my recovery.”
Grant grew up in Darwin before moving to Adelaide to complete high school at Rostrevor College, while playing for North Adelaide’s development squads.
But after finishing Year 12, he returned home and signed with NEAFL team NT Thunder.
He played one game for the Thunder’s under-18 academy in 2018 and then four with the Wanderers in the Northern Territory Football League.
Injuries again curtailed Grant’s career last year and he was at a crossroads, prompting a move back to Adelaide.
“I had just moved back home as well and things weren’t going right for me,” he says.
“But it’s getting a lot better now and I’m feeling good.
“I did fall out of love for the game a bit there so I thought I’d move back to Adelaide.
“I love tackling, I don’t mind contested ball and one-on-one battles.
“We’ve got a pretty young group (at West) but the vibe around the club has been great.
“It feels like a brotherhood here and everyone is really pushing high standards.”
West Adelaide kicks off its 2020 campaign with a clash against Port Adelaide under lights at Richmond Oval on Friday, April 3.