Western Bulldogs young gun Elaine Grigg named AFLW rising star

Elaine Grigg and Western Bulldogs heard the outside noise — and answered it emphatically. The young Bulldogs star explains how she helped her side go from dour to delirium inside a week.

When Elaine Grigg was through on goal in the dying minutes of the Western Bulldogs’ win over Carlton last Thursday, she had one thing in the back of her mind.

While the 18-year-old already had one goal to her name in her debut season after a fortunate backheel against the Lions, she wanted one that she felt she could actually claim. Not only because it ticked off another milestone in her dream career, but because she could celebrate it with her sister, Michelle.

The siblings moved to Australia from Kenya when Grigg was eight and with some help from their stepdad, quickly fell in love with Aussie rules.

As soon as she kicked it through the big sticks at Ikon Park, she turned to find her sister in the stands with a love heart in her direction.

“That was to my little sister and I dedicated that as my first official real goal,” Grigg said. “That was for her.

“She means a lot to me, and my parents have come to every game and finally got to kick one and celebrate with them.

“It’s been so special to have them here. We’ve all dreamt about it, and it has been a dream of mine to live through. After a win or a loss, they’re always there and it’s good to be with them on this journey as well.”

Elaine Grigg and Jasmyn Smith after Western Bulldogs’ victory. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

A hair-raising celebration. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

It capped off a breakout game for Grigg who finished with 10 tackles and a career-high 13 disposals. The performance earned her the week eight Rising Star nomination, and she received the news with an unusual presentation from coach Tamara Hyett.

“We were just sitting in the team meeting (on Monday) and they played Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” Grigg said. “I had no idea what was happening.

“Then my face came up as a star and Tam talked it through, it was a surreal moment. All the girls got around me.

“I went into that game, all of us did as a team, wanting to play our role and that’s what I did. I wanted to put that pressure on and that’s probably what I did with 10 tackles. At the end of the game, I felt like I had done what the team needed me to do for us to get the win – my back was also a bit sore (from the tackles).”

Elaine Grigg has been one of the most exciting rookies to watch in 2024 🤩

Enjoy some of her best moments after claiming the week eight @Telstra AFLW Rising Star nomination. pic.twitter.com/iERdShM29i

— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) October 21, 2024

It has been a big adjustment for Grigg moving into the AFLW after being selected with the sixth pick of last year’s draft, but she’s handled every challenge with class. She has played all nine games for the Western Bulldogs this season in a young team that continues to take big steps in their development.

The win over Carlton was a significant one for Hyett’s side after being heavily scrutinised a week earlier for their overly defensive attitudes. The 33-point win was a sign of not only their scoring prowess but the potential they’re already living up to.

“With all of that outside noise, we had some honest conversations going into the game and put out the things we value,” Grigg said.

“It’s going back to our three pillars which is our intent, our focus and our pressure. We didn’t say we were going to smash them, we just went back to those values.

“The buzz around the club when we came in the next day was so exciting. After that win, it’s going to leave everyone wanting to chase that winning feeling every game now. It’s about building that, and it’s going to be a really exciting future for us.”

Originally published as Western Bulldogs young gun Elaine Grigg named AFLW rising star