Norwood star Mitch Grigg has earned another shot at the AFL after exceptional year in SANFL
HE might not become a Brownlow Medalist or All Australian, but Mitch Grigg will improve the depth of any AFL team in the competition and, in the right environment, he will flourish.
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AFL recruiters, please tell me you were watching the SANFL grand final.
As good a spectacle as it was, I walked away thinking Mitch Grigg deserves to be playing the highest level of our game.
He was awesome, clearly best afield claiming the Jack Oatey Medal as best on ground with a 31 disposal six-goal performance.
And unlike like his teammates, Grigg played his best game on the biggest stage, but it was all in vain with Norwood falling to the impressive Roosters by 19 points.
Some suggest he’s a player caught between both the AFL and SANFL, too good for the SANFL, but not quite good enough for the AFL.
And while this discussion may have merit, as he struggled to consistently impact games in his three years with the Crows (2013-15) playing just 20 matches.
In defence of him, he wasn’t given the consistent backing of the coach when he could have been averaging 14 possessions per game.
He couldn’t break into Adelaide’s midfield, his preferred position, often caught behind the likes of Scott Thompson, Rory Sloane, Patrick Dangerfield, Richard Douglas and Nathan Van Berlo.
At 25 years of age he’s now playing with a much more experienced, wiser head on his shoulders.
In 2018 Grigg has starred for Norwood.
In the minor round he averaged 28 disposals per game kicking a remarkable 29 goals. But as good as his minor round was claiming a second Magarey Medal on the trot, his performances in the clubs two finals were a level above averaging 30.5 disposals and 3.5 goals per game.
Kicking six goals in a grand final is no mean feat, but to add 31 disposals to it — his performance had to be seen to be believed.
What’s obvious is he deserves another chance to shine at AFL level.
The case against Grigg earning a second chance has been that he’s a little overweight for an AFL return and he lacks a yard of pace.
And while this is true, a full AFL pre-season will see him instantly redefine his bodyshape and instead of focusing on what he can’t do, let’s take a look at what he can do.
Grigg reminds me of Stuart Dew, footy smart, a thicker body shape, but most importantly a lethal left foot with exquisite skills, who can also hit the scoreboard.
Too much can be made of evaluating players and their performances at times. Grigg has two things elite players possess, he can find the ball and he doesn’t waste it.
The game at AFL level is about ball retention and limiting turnovers.
He might not become a Brownlow Medalist or All Australian, but what he will do is improve the depth of any AFL team in the competition and in the right environment he will flourish.
On Tuesday the AFL released their special assistance provisions for both Carlton and Gold Coast, with the Suns having the right to pre-list three players (Blues two players) who have previously nominated or been eligible for the draft or were previously listed by an AFL club prior to this year’s draft — enter Mitch Grigg.
They’re also allowed an additional two Category A rookies for next year.
The Blues and Suns clearly need more experienced heads on their list to improve their depth, especially players who’ve played at AFL level previously.
While the 2018 struggles are busily planning away trying to work out how they best shoot back up the ladder and play finals football, Grigg has taken all before him and dominated the SANFL for the second season in a row.
He is clearly better than some of the players playing consistent AFL football and he deserves another chance.
Grigg is too good a player to be left dominating the SANFL.