Richmond’s Dylan Grimes a ‘no-brainer’ for All-Australian side, says coach Damien Hardwick

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says perpetually underrated defender Dylan Grimes is a ‘no-brainer’ for All-Australian selection, and staggering statistics back him up.

Dylan Grimes of Richmond.

Perpetually underrated Richmond defender Dylan Grimes is a “no-brainer” for this year’s All-Australian side according to his coach, as the premiership player continues to rack up some staggering statistics.

Grimes, who has never polled a Brownlow Medal vote, was part of the initial All-Australian squad of 40 players last year before being left out of the final side.

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But Tigers coach Damien Hardwick has turned the heat on All-Australian selectors to pick Grimes this year given his performance in the absence of injured teammate Alex Rance.

“I’d have him in every year,” Hardwick said.

“I sit there and I get to see him forensically on a weekly basis and I know that if I put him on a player, that’s a job done for me.

“His ability to win contests, his ability to control the backline has really improved this year with Alex taking a step out of the side. But he’s an incredible talent, outstanding leader, outstanding person. So for me it’s a no-brainer.”

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A mid-sized defender at 193cm, Grimes has again shown an ability to play tall and small this year, with opponents including Adelaide’s Eddie Betts, Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray, Geelong’s Tom Hawkins and Collingwood’s Mason Cox.

Richmond’s Dylan Grimes is a ‘no-brainer’ for All-Australian selection, according to coach Damien Hardwick.

Grimes has had just four goals kicked on him since Round 9 and, according to Champion Data, has lost only two of 21 one-on-one contests since Richmond’s Round 14 bye.

“He should have been in the All-Australian last year and definitely has to be a lock this year,” Brisbane Lions great Jonathon Brown said on Fox Footy this week.

Grimes has missed just one game this year through suspension and is averaging career-best numbers for rebound-50s (3.1 a game), intercept marks (2.4 a game) and intercept possessions (7.2 a game).

The 28-year-old has lost just 16.4 per cent of defensive one-on-one contests this year, significantly fewer than other top-rated key defenders in Brisbane’s Harris Andrews (26.8 per cent), West Coast’s Tom Barrass (24 per cent), Carlton’s Liam Jones (27.8 per cent) and Geelong’s Mark Blicavs (18.6 per cent).

Rance, who suffered an ACL injury in Round 1, completed some running drills at training on Thursday and will meet his surgeon next Friday to discuss whether he could return to the Richmond defence this year.

“He’s running, he’s looking very active,” Hardwick said.

“He’s got a couple of things tick off before we get to that stage (playing again this year).

“We haven’t opened that door but we certainly haven’t closed it, either.”

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Alex Rance runs laps at Punt Rd.

St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt says if Rance gets the all-clear from medicos to resume after a knee reconstruction, he must take the risk.

“If they green-light him next week, which we’re led to believe is D-Day, meeting with doctors, well then absolutely he should try and get back,” Riewoldt said on Fox Footy’s AFL360.

“Maybe this is because I didn’t get to win one (a premiership), that I just think a little bit differently, but he might not ever get a chance to be a two-time premiership player. And the club might never.

“Is he better in the side for Richmond if he’s fit and up and about? Absolutely.

“If he can (play), he definitely should, 100 per cent.”

Richmond received another boost today by the news Rising Star contender Sydney Stack and young midfielder Jack Ross have both signed new contracts.

Stack has committed until the end of 2021 and Ross, who impressed in five games earlier this season before suffering a serious ankle injury, has signed on until 2022.

Originally published as Richmond’s Dylan Grimes a ‘no-brainer’ for All-Australian side, says coach Damien Hardwick