Jack Graham opens up on the heartache of missing Richmond’s 2019 premiership
Marlion Pickett was the man who replaced wounded Tiger Jack Graham in Richmond’s Grand Final triumph. But the tough Tiger was happy for the one-game wonder, and can’t wait to see him in action in 2020.
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Tiger Jack Graham has opened up on his Grand Final heartache, declaring it will drive him in his recovery from shoulder surgery as he aims to get back to the big stage with the premiers next year.
The heartbreaking tale of Richmond’s finals campaign, Graham also revealed the special moment he shared with the man who replaced him in the Grand Final team and went on to become one of the great premiership stories.
Graham missed out on the chance to win a second premiership medallion after he was ruled out of the Grand Final against Greater Western Sydney after dislocating his shoulder in the team’s preliminary final win over Geelong.
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The 21-year-old injured his shoulder in the first quarter of the preliminary final, but bravely played out the match with the joint heavily strapped.
Graham admitted the last few months has been challenging as he came to terms with what he had missed out on.
“It was pretty tough,” Graham said of missing out on the premiership win.
“Deep down, I knew that I wasn’t going to play once the doc told me he hadn’t really sent anyone out on the ground the following week with a dislocated shoulder.
“I knew deep down that I was probably not going to play, so just trying to take all that in and digest it was pretty hard.
“During the week I kind of accepted that I wasn’t playing and got around the boys and tried to soak it all in, but on game day sitting in the stands knowing that I should be out there playing was pretty hard to watch.”
Graham’s injury misfortune opened the door for the Tigers to name 27-year-old mid-season recruit Marlion Pickett for his AFL debut in the Grand Final.
Pickett went on to deliver an eye-catching AFL entrance in the Grand Final, finishing third in the voting for the Norm Smith Medal with his 22 disposals and one goal.
Graham said he couldn’t have been happier for Pickett and told of how they shared a celebratory moment in the rooms together after the premiership win.
“I couldn’t be any more rapt for Marlion because he is such a great player and … it is just amazing how it all worked out and for his journey and for him to experience that,” Graham said.
“For him to celebrate with the boys after one game is crazy and he is going to be a great player for us (next) year and I’m really looking forward to what he can do because we’ve already seen what he can do in one game in front of the biggest crowd.
“We shared a moment and just thought ‘How good is this?’. I was lucky enough to do it (win 2017 premiership) in my fifth game, he did it in his first game … it’s a great story.”
After his off-season shoulder surgery – his second in as many years – Graham is back on light duties at pre-season training, but will not be able to resume contact work until mid-January.
Having experienced the ultimate football heartache, Graham said he was more driven than ever for his pre-season campaign.
“I’m really motivated. It’s a bit hard being in rehab … but I’m just doing everything I can to maintain my fitness and get ready for 2020,” the preliminary final hero said.
“Even though (2017) was only my fifth game … that feeling you definitely want it and that’s why we all play footy is to win premierships with the team.
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“It was definitely hard watching but I’m just rapt for the football club and rapt for the boys to experience that feeling.”
Graham said he hoped to be fit for the start of the pre-season competition.
“I will aim to be back for the first JLT and speaking with the physios, that’s definitely on the cards, but we’ve just got to see how it goes once we ramp up the contact work,” he said.
“It’s tracking nicely, obviously still pretty sore and I don’t have much movement of range. I’m back at about 80 per cent speed running so I can still get a few more k’s in my legs, but obviously all the contact stuff and running will be the middle of January to early Feb away.”