SANFL legend Mitch Grigg pays tribute to dad – ‘the greatest man I’ll ever know’ – after MND battle

Former Norwood superstar Mitch Grigg was with his dad when he died on Thursday after a battle with MND.

There’s a footy game dual Magarey Medallist Mitch Grigg cherishes above all others – and the memory of when he was named second best on ground to his dad, “the greatest man I will ever know”, is now more special than ever.

Three days ago, Chris Grigg died, aged 58, after a more than four-year battle with motor neurone disease (MND).

Grigg says he’ll always treasure the chance as a young teenager to play with his dad, a former Athelstone Football Club A-grade legend.

Chris Grigg with his grandson Max. Picture: Instagram

Chris Grigg at the Athelstone football club. Picture: Roy Vandervegt

“The boys convinced him to come back and play the last eight games in C-grade to get his 200 Raggies’ senior games,” Grigg says of his dad.

“As a larger-bodied 14-year-old, he had the confidence to let me play. He got first best that day, I got second best … it was an awesome day.”

A gun midfielder and back-to-back Magarey Medallist in 2017 and 2018, Grigg played a 156 games at Norwood and the Crows and says his dad’s support was unwavering.

“I owe my football life to Dad, he taught me from a very young age to be humble and to work hard and that nothing gets given to you,” he says. “He was always a levelling guide, he never pumped me up.”

After retiring from the SANFL last September, Grigg has been at Lobethal Football Club, which took out this year’s premiership. While his dad wasn’t able to watch in person, he followed every kick via livestream.

Former Crows player Mitch Grigg with his dad Chris Grigg and Crows star Taylor Walker at Bunnings Mile End to promote the Big Freeze charity fundraiser. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Mitch Grigg with his dad Chris. Picture Instagram

“He would send me a little ‘pump-up’ message before every single game … I know towards the end it was getting harder and harder for him to write – he had an eyepad he would navigate with his eyes – but he’d still make sure he did it before every game, including that grand final,” Grigg, 29, says.

“He’d say things like, ‘the conditions are tough today … you are going to have to have hard hands’.”

Grigg describes his beloved dad as a “loyal and humble man, someone who adored his family”.

“Everyone that met Dad felt like a bigger person after talking to him,” he says.

“He saw the best in everyone, he never judged anyone, he always gave people the time of day and listened to what they had to say.”

Grigg says his one-year-old son, Max, was adored by his grandfather.

“He was in awe of Max … he probably gave Dad the strength to go on for another year,” he says.

Grigg, who along with his younger siblings, Ryan and Maddison, was with his dad on Thursday when he died, praises stepmum, Sam: “She was his absolute rock and fought with him right to the end ... we are so appreciative of all she has done and the sacrifies she has made. Their love was something I’ve not witnessed before, the way they connected and would look at each other.”

Devoted family man Chris Grigg is pictured with his family. From back, Tash, Tom, wife Samantha, Riley, Lucy, Ryan, Mitch, Maddy, (Chris) and Nicole. Picture supplied.

Originally published as SANFL legend Mitch Grigg pays tribute to dad – ‘the greatest man I’ll ever know’ – after MND battle