Retired Giant Ryan Griffen pays tribute to coach Leon Cameron
Ryan Griffen managed just 56 games in his four years at the Giants, but his teammates and coach say he has left a legacy that will last.
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RYAN Griffen managed just 56 games in his four years at the Giants but his teammates and coach say he has left a legacy that will last.
Griffen called time on his career immediately after Saturday night’s 10-point semi-final loss to Collingwood.
In typically modest fashion the former Western Bulldogs skipper knocked back the opportunity to be chaired off the MCG, walking off alongside coach Leon Cameron who helped bring him to the club.
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“I’ve known Leon for my whole career, all 14 years,” Griffen said.
“He’s been absolutely fantastic for me. He’s supported me wherever I wanted to go. He’s been talking to me all this year (about retirement).”
The 32-year-old came to the club as part of the trade which saw No. 1 pick Tom Boyd go to the Bulldogs. He has managed just 56 games in his four years at GWS after a series of leg injuries.
“Griff has had a torrid run with injuries at our footy club,” Cameron said.
“He’s been a great player at the Western Bulldogs and at our footy club. I’ve known him all my footy career and he’s been a wonderful warrior. He’s been fantastic for our footy club and will be sorely missed.”
Griffen’s courage and attack on the football has clearly rubbed off on his teammates who are now among the AFL’s best for contested football. He said the game was starting to get harder and harder in recent years and he could see the end coming for number of months.
“I knew in my mind this would be my last year,” he said.
“Things were getting harder. Kids these days are stronger, fitter and faster. You know in your mind when you’ve had enough. I definitely put everything into this season hoping we could have the ultimate success. It wasn’t quite to be.”
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Originally published as Retired Giant Ryan Griffen pays tribute to coach Leon Cameron
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