Gold Coast Suns AFL: Damien Hardwick adds Geelong assistant coach Shaun Grigg to coaching staff

Damien Hardwick’s off-season wins keep on coming with the newly-minted Gold Coast coach tempting a former premiership Tiger who’s now a highly-rated coach to jump on board.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 10: Tigers head coach Damien Hardwick hugs Shaun Grigg of the Tigers during a Richmond Tigers AFL training session at Punt Road Oval on May 10, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Damien Hardwick’s off-season wins keep on coming with the newly-minted Gold Coast coach tempting highly-rated Geelong assistant Shaun Grigg to the Suns for next season.

Grigg, who played under Hardwick at Richmond and was part of the 2017 premiership side, joined the Cats’ coaching staff in 2019 not long after announcing his retirement.

The 35-year-old arrived at Geelong as a development coach before taking on a full-time role in 2020.

He helped the Cats to the 2022 premiership as a key member of Chris Scott’s coaching staff.

Geelong on Monday confirmed it had released Grigg from his 2024 contract.

Shaun Grigg (right) has left Geelong after four seasons to join Damien Hardwick on the Gold Coast.. Picture: Alan Barber

“Shaun has been a great contributor to the club for the last four seasons as a development coach and as assistant working closely with our midfield group,” Cats coach Chris Scott said.

“He has had a positive impact on our players and football program and we wish Shaun, Sarah, Sonny and Spencer all the best for the future.”

Grigg becomes the second ex-Richmond man to join Hardwick on the Gold Coast after the three-time premiership coach successfully poached the Tigers’ list analysis manager, Hayden Hill, late last month.

Gold Coast confirmed Grigg’s appointment on Monday.

Damien Hardwick has wasted no time in putting his people in place at the Suns. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“We’re thrilled Shaun has chosen to continue his coaching journey at the Suns and we look forward to him working with our current group of coaches and Damien, to continue to drive our playing group forward,” Suns GM of Football Wayne Campbell said.

“Shaun has put together an impressive CV as both a player and coach, including overseeing Geelong’s midfield group as the Cats went on to win the 2022 premiership.

“We look forward to welcoming Shaun, his wife Sarah and two young boys to the Gold Coast.”

Grigg joins a Gold Coast coaching staff that includes senior assistant Steven King, VFL head coach Josh Drummond, forwards coach Brad Miller and backline boss Tate Kaesler.

Originally published as Gold Coast Suns AFL: Damien Hardwick adds Geelong assistant coach Shaun Grigg to coaching staff