Norwood’s Mitch Grigg keen to return to AFL after second Magarey Medal win
NORWOOD’S star onballer Mitch Grigg joined an exclusive list of names to claim multiple Magarey Medals, and now he has ambitions to test his game again on a bigger stage.
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THE SANFL’S latest member of the two-times Magarey Medallist club Mitch Grigg has ambitions to return to the AFL system.
The brilliant Norwood onballer, 25, said he would definitely be willing to have another crack at playing on the game’s highest stage if a club knocked on his door.
But he has had no contact with any AFL clubs and was “not getting my hopes up” of a chance to build on the 20 games he played with Adelaide in his four years with the Crows from 2013.
Grigg polled 26 votes to beat Central District rover Travis Schiller by two in the Medal count on Wednesday night and claim a second successive win.
“I would definitely be willing to give it another crack if an AFL club gave me an opportunity,” Grigg said. “Having been in the Adelaide system, it gave me an insight in how it all works and what is required.
“I’m probably a few kilograms too heavy at the minute because of work and lifestyle, and not being around a full-time professional environment.
“It would not take much to get back to being super fit and ready to go. If a club approached me and said they were keen, I just have to lose some kilos.
“That is exactly what I’d be doing.”
SANFL state talent manager Brenton Phillips said Grigg definitely had the qualities to have his name on an AFL list, as did another Redlegs midfielder Matthew Panos.
"If Grigg is not better than some of the footballers running around for the Gold Coast Suns I'm a bad judge,” Phillips said.
"I think SANFL is a really good competition that allows players to showcase what they've got."
The morning after celebrating his elevation to the exclusive group to win multiple Magarey Medals, Grigg was getting his hands dirty as a landscaper.
And he is adamant the victory would not distract him from his mission of claiming a second premiership with the Redlegs.
So determined is he to add a second premiership medal to his collection, Grigg said he would give away his two Medals to win the flag this season.
“One hundred per cent, I can put the medal win to the side and concentrate on Norwood,” he said. “It is an awesome achievement and I’m humbled by it, but it is more important what is ahead.
“I’ve won one premiership (2013) and I’m hungry for another one.
“The premiership win is the best time of your life and something I’ll never forget. I’ll never forget when we got announced at Norwood Oval and see all the red and blue on the oval, it was an awesome sight and gives you butterflies.”
The Redlegs, hot premiership favourites, take on Woodville-West Torrens in the second semi-final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday with the winner being the first team to advance to the grand final.