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RDFL 2019: Nick Grigg best afield for Rupertswood in grand final

Rupertswood sharpshooter Nick Grigg stood tall as his team cruised to an 85-point grand final victory, securing the Doug McIntyre Medal for best afield.

Nick Grigg bagged seven goals in Rupertswood’s grand final triumph. Picture: James Ross
Nick Grigg bagged seven goals in Rupertswood’s grand final triumph. Picture: James Ross

Star Rupertswood forward Nick Grigg described Sunday as “probably the best day of my life” after the Sharks romped to an 85-point Riddell District Football League grand final victory.

Grigg finished with seven majors for the day and was a deserved recipient of the Doug McIntyre Medal for best afield.

“It is one of the best clubs I’ve ever been to,” Grigg said.

“I’ve got these medals around my neck and a cup.

“They got the ball to me and I did the job.

“It was a pretty good day.”

Rupertswood moves into celebration mode after hammering Wallan. Picture: James Ross
Rupertswood moves into celebration mode after hammering Wallan. Picture: James Ross

Grigg arrived at the Sharks from East Keilor, where he was co-coach, midway through 2018.

After 23 goals in eight games last year, the grand final haul lifted his 2019 tally to 70.

Grigg, however, left his future with the club up in the air, undecided if he would retire due to restraints from working as a train driver.

Nick Grigg celebrates a goal on Sunday. Picture: James Ross
Nick Grigg celebrates a goal on Sunday. Picture: James Ross

“It could be on the cards — it would be a good way to go out,” the 31-year-old said.

“It’s hard. I struggle to get to training, I struggle to get to games.”

The forward, who was the beneficiary of intelligent ball use from his midfielders, said his team always had the belief it could win the premiership — it just needed to get itself in the right position.

“We knew during the year we had that click — we just had to get here and we did,” Grigg said. “No one picked us and we went the whole way.”

Elated captain Brent Swallow said the 2019 premiership had been “four or five years in the making”.

“It’s good to finally get it and silence some critics,” the 27-year-old said.

“We got the players in that we needed and we had a healthy list.

“I am just over the moon about it.”

Swallow thought Rupo benefited from having experience playing on the wide expanses of Clarke Oval.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/rdfl-2019-nick-grigg-best-afield-for-rupertswood-in-grand-final/news-story/dd2c930421d68250ec6df80311cac7a9