AFL 2024: Former Richmond captain Dylan Grimes sidelined by surgery

Richmond’s latest in a long line of injury setbacks could bring an end to the decorated career of a former captain.

Richmond premiership defender Dylan Grimes could retire after he was sent for season-ending back surgery this week. Picture: Dylan Burns / Getty Images

Three-time premiership player Dylan Grimes could call time on his decorated AFL career after undergoing season-ending back surgery this week.

The Tigers confirmed on Wednesday that the 32-year-old had been sent for an operation and would be unavailable for the remainder of 2024.

Grimes, who entered his 15th season on a one-year deal and stepped down from the Richmond co-captaincy, had only managed five games this year due to wrist and back issues and had not featured since round 8.

His loss means the Tigers will be without its three first-choice key defenders for the rest of the season with Josh Gibcus and Tylar Young already sidelined by ACL injuries.

Former Richmond captain Dylan Grimes may call time on his AFL career after he underwent season-ending surgery on his back this week. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

Grimes suffered two serious hamstring injuries early in his career but emerged to become a vital part of Richmond’s premiership sides in 2017 and 2019-20.

He was named All-Australian in 2019 and won the Tigers’ best and fairest in 2021.

The former pre-season draft bargain has played 234 games.

The return of fellow veteran Dion Prestia (calf) has been pushed out further but the Tigers could regain Jacob Hopper from a hamstring injury against Carlton on Sunday.

Tom Lynch will miss the clash after suffering a fresh hamstring strain in the round 14 loss to Hawthorn.