When we think of AFL Players who have everything to play for in 2016, Jack Grimes must nearly top the list.
Consistency issues and injuries have plagued the former captain over the past three seasons. All of a sudden the out-of-contract defender finds himself fighting for his career and spot in a side that has failed to make the finals in a decade.
Grimes was selected with the Demons’ second selection in the 2007 National Draft (14th overall) and is the only remaining member of that draft on Melbourne’ list. The highly touted likes of Adaam Maric, Cale Morton, Tom McNamara and Kyle Cheney have either been traded or delisted.
This has continued the trend of non-surving Demons draft picks from the years 2004-2007, with only one player from each draft surviving on their current list: Lynden Dunn in 2004, Nathan Jones in 2005, Colin Garland in 2006 and Jack Grimes in 2007.
At the age of 26, Grimes is now entering his ninth season at the elite level, having played just 98 games over a career played with injury.
The likes of Trent Cotchin, Patrick Dangerfield and Cyril Rioli were all also selected in 2007 and have since gone onto play 150+ games. The Hawks were either going to take Grimes or Rioli at pick 12, yet opted for the latter and eight years later one is a four-time premiership player and Norm Smith Medallist, while the other is yet the play a single final, had a horror run of injuries and stepped down from captaincy duties.
Luck’s a fortune, they say.
Grimes plied his trade at for Vic Metro in the U18 Championships and was named on the half-forward flank in the All Australian Side. He also possessed strong leadership qualities from an early age, captaining the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup where he played on the ball, averaging 28 disposals a game.
His exceptional game sense, courage and elite endurance had his name tossed up all season for top 10 draft honours, yet injury concerns saw him slide to the Demons at pick 14. There were certainly issues early surrounding his ball use and genuine match-winning ability, but he was truly a work horse always finding a way to contribute.
He was placed on the long-term injury list in his debut season due to back problems, but made his debut in Round 22 against the Tigers. Despite taking over a half of footy to get his first kick, the 18 year-old showed plenty of willingness to work hard with out ball in hand (4 tackles).
In 2012, at the age of just 22, Grimes was appointed the co-captain of the club alongside fellow youngster Jack Trengove. Mark Neeld looked to begin a major rebuild of the competition’s most farcical side.
In his first year as captain Grimes enjoyed a career-best season, notching up 21 games and finishing second in the best and fairest. He played predominately off the half-back flank and through the midfield to average 22 disposals, often managing to break open games and with his solid right foot, game sense and his courage in times of need.
Appointing two young captains was never going to be a good idea and the pressure of captaincy eventually got to Grimes. Grimes started to find himself struggling to concentrate on his own game. After three seasons at the helm he decided to resign as captain, stating he would rather “concentrate on football” after some solid yet unexceptional performances throughout the 2014 season.
Injury problems have plagued Grimes’ career way back since his junior days, having been drafted with chronic back problems. Irregular movement with his hips resulted in sever stress being placed on his back and he was forced to go through a number of biomechnical restructures to correct both his stature and running techniques.
Since his draft year, Grimes has had groin, hip, ankle, shoulder and hamstring injuries, which have severely restricted his output in recent seasons.
Grimes wasn’t selected in the Demons’ Round 1 team this season, with Paul Roos opting to blood the younger likes of Christian Salmen and Angus Brayshaw. After a month in the VFL Affiliate Casey Scorpions, Grimes finally got a reprieve to the senior side against the Dockers. In a 68-point drubbing the former skipper had a nightmare of a game, getting absolutely annihilated by Chris Mayne (4 goals) and only managing 10 touches himself.
He found himself dropped once again, only to be recalled against the Hawks in Round 7.
Grimes managed just 11 matches in 2015, being dropped on three occasions and injuring his thumb after the bye rounds. He managed to play the last seven games of the season and looked at home on a number of occasions with a surprise move up forward, yet he was selected as the substitute twice which suggests Paul Roos doesn’t have him cemented in the Dees’ Best 22.
The recruitment of former Essendon utility Jake Melksham had initially put Grimes’ spot in the side under severe pressure, yet with the recent CAS Guilty verdict and suspension for the Bombers’ players, Grimes now has one less to compete with and it may just be the break he needs.
At 26 years of age Grimes should be in the prime of his career, yet 2016 will be nothing short of career-defining as the once captain of the oldest club in the competition looks to cement his spot under the guidance of Paul Roos and hopefully earn himself another contract. Let’s hope he can find some confidence in his game and remain injury free for once.
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