Ryan Griffen plays for Goolwa/Port Elliot but they go down by 91-points
The presence of former Western Bulldogs captain Ryan Grifen was not enough to inspire his boyhood club Goolwa/Port Elliot to a shock win over Langhorne Creek.
The presence of former Western Bulldogs captain Ryan Griffen was not able to inspire his boyhood club to a shock win over the reigning Greater Southern Football League premiers Langhorne Creek.
Griffen, a 2013 All-Australian midfielder also formerly of the GWS Giants, yesterday turned out for Goolwa/Port Elliot at Goolwa Oval - his first game since retiring from the AFL.
Turning out in the black and white were also his brothers Trent and Travis, who have both played more than 200 games for the club.
But the star inclusion was not able to help the Magpies, who went down to the reigning premiers by 91 points.
The two-time Charlie Sutton Medal winner (Dogs’ best and fairest) came through the juniors at the club.
He then progressed 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.
Griffen’s final AFL match was last season’s second semi-final loss to Collingwood while playing for the Giants.
He signed for the Magpies in November but his debut was delayed, injuring his back in a trial game against Happy Valley before returning to his home in country Victoria for the birth of his child.
Griffen, who played 257 AFL games across 13 seasons, also celebrated his 33rd birthday yesterday.