Richmond veteran Shaun Grigg says mid-season retirement was his decision

Shaun Grigg’s decision to retire will allow Richmond to take a mid-season draft pick but the Tigers premiership hero is adamant he wasn’t pushed into a premature end to his career.

Shaun Grigg enjoys his premiership success with and son Sonny. Picture: Mark Stewart

Shaun Grigg hopes his mid-season retirement is a “gift” that kick-starts another AFL career, adamant he was not pushed into a premature end to his career.

The 31-year-old retired on Tuesday to allow the Tigers to take a mid-season draft pick on May 27 after spending the season battling knee tendon and hip issues.

Grigg told the Herald Sun he knew he was little chance of returning in time for finals, content with his role as a premiership player and 214-gamer at Richmond and Carlton.

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Alex Rance is making extraordinary early progress in his return from an ACL, with the Tigers admitting they face a difficult decision on his late-season push to play again.

Grigg joked from the ruck, satisfied with a popular and successful career.

“I spoke about it with my management a couple of weeks ago and went to the club and had a conversation that if a pick was available would they use it or was anyone available they were interested in,” he said.

“So it was totally my decision whether to pull the pin mid-season or keep fighting until the end of the year but looking within myself deep down I knew I couldn’t get back

The choice was pretty easy to help the footy club. Hopefully this is the gift to someone else that can realise their dream.”

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Grigg will spend the rest of the year working in football administration for the Tigers with Neil Balme and list manager Blair Hartley.

Grigg had issues where his tendon joined with his knee cap, unable to kick without pain and battling with high-intensity running.

“100 per cent the footy club were more than happy for me to keep on going but deep down I knew I couldn’t get back and I couldn’t help on field this year so this was my chance to help the boys in the best way I could.”

Shaun Grigg with the 2017 premiership cup. Picture: Mark Stewart

Grigg shares a laugh with coach Damien Hardwick. Picture: Getty Images

The moments Grigg will cherish are running out for his 200th game with sons Sonny and Spencer and the off-season change that led to the Tigers flag.

“The start of pre-season when Dimma (Damien Hardwick) and Cotch (Trent Cotchin) changed the culture and brought a lot of fun to the footy club, that was a real turning point for us. Going out for me 200th game with my boys, that was special and the premiership and probably the footy trip that went afterwards.”

Rance has made clear his desire to push for a finals return, with Richmond allowing him to remain off the long-term injured list to allow that to happen.

“We wouldn’t do that and take out the possibilities,” football boss Neil Balme said.

“If you asked us we don’t want him to play this year, he is such an important player.

“But he will take as much time as he needs. If there is a possibility he could play and it’s not risky, then (we will discuss it).”