Shaun Grigg

Grigg grew up in the Victorian country town of Linton, 33 kilometres south-west of Ballarat.{{cite book|last1=Marshall|first1=Konrad|title=Yellow & Black: A Season with Richmond|date=15 November 2016|publisher=Slattery Media Group|location=Melbourne, Victoria, Australia|isbn=9780987342898|page=187}} He attended high school at St Patrick's College.{{cite news|last1=Morgan|first1=Angus|title=Blues a top gig for Grigg|url=http://carltonfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=309405|access-date=3 March 2007|work=Carlton FC|publisher=Bigpond|date=29 December 2006}} He was part of the school's First XVIII football side which won the coveted Herald Sun Shield in 2005. He played with Redan in his younger years before joining the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup. In 2006 he represented the Victorian Country side at the national Under 18 championships where he won All-Australian selection. At the 2006 AFL Draft Combine he recorded a top 10 time in the 20 metre sprint.

Grigg was selected by {{AFL Car}} with the club's second pick and the 19th overall in the 2006 AFL National draft.

He suffered a shoulder injury early in the 2007 season and struggled as a result. He played matches early in the season with Carlton's {{VFL-affiliate}}, the Northern Bullants. Grigg made his AFL debut against {{AFL Mel}} in Round 14, 2007 and played a total of 5 games for the season.

Grigg earned a regular position in the Carlton team throughout 2008, playing 20 senior games and receiving a nomination for the NAB Rising Star award in Round 19.[http://afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=65303 NAB AFL Rising Star: round 19] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815003330/http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=65303 |date=15 August 2008 }} He kicked his first career goal in Round 4, 2008 in a match against {{AFL Col}}.{{cite web|title=Round 4 2008 – Carlton vs Collingwood|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2008/030420080413.html|website=AFL Tables|access-date=8 January 2017}}

Over the next two seasons however, Grigg struggled to play regularly in the senior side, playing only a combined total of 18 games for the club.{{cite web|title=Shaun Grigg Stats|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/S/Shaun_Grigg.html#20070|website=AFL Tables|access-date=12 September 2016}}

In October 2010 Grigg asked to be traded from the Carlton Football Club with {{AFL Ric}} his desired trade destination. He cited a desire for greater on-field opportunities as his key reason for seeking the move.{{cite news|last1=Gleeson|first1=Michael|title=Grigg walks out on Blues|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/grigg-walks-out-on-blues-20100930-15za1.html|access-date=12 September 2016|work=The Age|date=1 October 2010}} A deal was finalised eight days later, with Grigg involved in a straight swap for Tigers' midfielder Andrew Collins.{{cite news|title=Carlton swap Shaun Grigg for Richmond's Andrew Collins|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/carlton-swap-shaun-grigg-for-richmonds-andrew-collins/story-e6frg6n6-1225936422697|access-date=12 September 2016|work=The Australian|date=9 October 2010}}[http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/carlton-swap-richmond-grigg-for-collins-20101009-16cx6.html Carlton swap Richmond Grigg for Collins] He had played 43 games for the club over his four-year tenure.

Grigg made his debut for Richmond in Round 1 of the 2011 season in a match against his former club {{AFL Car}} at the MCG.{{cite news|last1=Matthews|first1=Bruce|title=Richmond and Carlton to debut draftees|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/richmond-and-carlton-to-debut-draftees/news-story/eaf7496d2655c071a8fb3b8ee5074669|access-date=8 January 2017|work=Herald Sun|date=24 March 2011}}

He finished his first season at Richmond having played 21 games and recording an average of 22 disposals per game. It was a then-career best year in all major statistical categories including total disposals, marks, tackles and goals.

In 2012 Grigg was one of the most improved players in the league.{{cite news|last1=Green|first1=Warwick|title=Fast start sets up Richmond victory|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/fast-start-sets-up-richmond-victory/news-story/7fbb34436339608303fb7a1f1daaea88|access-date=8 January 2017|work=Herald Sun|date=13 May 2012}} He kicked a career-best three goals in a Round 7 clash with {{AFL Syd}}.{{cite web|title=Round 7 2012 – Richmond vs Sydney|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2012/141620120512.html|website=AFL Tables|access-date=8 January 2017}} He played all 22 matches that season and recorded a career best 561 disposals, good for fourth best at the club. He finished in fifth place in the club'sbest & fairest award, receiving the Kevin Bartlett Medal for his efforts.{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/trent-cotchin-wins-second-jack-dyer-medal/story-e6frf9jf-1226465979255 |title=Trent Cotchin wins second Jack Dyer Medal as Richmond best-and-fairest |date=6 September 2012 |website=Herald Sun |access-date=16 February 2014}} Grigg also polled a career best 11 votes in the Brownlow Medal, placing third at the club that season.{{cite web|title=2011 Brownlow Medal|url=http://afltables.com/afl/brownlow/brownlow2011.html|website=AFL Tables|access-date=8 January 2017}}

He would again play all possible matches in 2013, including a role in his first final at Richmond; a loss against former club Carlton. He polled 5 votes in the Brownlow medal count that year, placing equal fifth of all Richmond players that season.{{cite web|title=2013 Brownlow Medal|url=http://afltables.com/afl/brownlow/brownlow2013.html|website=AFL Tables|access-date=8 January 2017}}

2014 saw Grigg's first injury affected season at Richmond. After playing in the club's first 10 matches, he went on to miss the next eight due to a hamstring injury sustained in a Round 11 match-up with {{AFL Ess}}.{{cite news|title=Grigg gears up for return|url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2014-07-22/grigg-gears-up-for-return|access-date=8 January 2017|work=Richmond FC|publisher=Bigpond|date=22 July 2014}}{{cite news|title=Grigg, Morris return|url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2014-08-07/grigg-morris-return|access-date=8 January 2017|work=Richmond FC|publisher=Bigpond|date=7 August 2014}}

He again played in the club's finals campaign, kicking a goal in an elimination final defeat at the hands of {{AFL PA}}.{{cite web|title=Elimination Final 2014 – Port Adelaide vs Richmond|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2014/131420140907.html|website=AFL Tables|access-date=8 January 2017}} Grigg played as a tagger for much of the season.{{cite news|title=Grigg grows in new role|url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2015-02-19/grigg-grows-in-new-role|access-date=8 January 2017|work=Richmond FC|publisher=Bigpond|date=19 February 2015}} He finished the season having played 15 games, his lowest total in his time at Richmond.

File:Shaun Grigg GFP17.jpg

In 2015 Grigg would return to form, playing in all possible matches for the third time in four seasons. As a contested-ball player, he led the club for tackles that year, with a career-best total of 98 across 23 matches.{{cite news|title=Grigg back to his reliable best|url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2015-10-20/grigg-back-to-his-reliable-best|access-date=8 January 2017|work=Richmond FC|publisher=Bigpond|date=20 October 2015}}{{cite web|title=2015 Stats|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/2015.html#14|website=AFL Tables|access-date=13 September 2016}}{{cite news|title=Grigg goes back inside|url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2015-04-15/grigg-goes-back-inside|access-date=8 January 2017|work=Richmond FC|publisher=Bigpond|date=15 April 2015}} His performance in Round 15 was particularly praiseworthy, with Grigg picking up the second-most coaches votes of any Tiger for his 25 disposal and seven clearance effort.{{cite news|title=Rance reward for excellence|url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2015-07-14/rance-reward-for-excellence|access-date=8 January 2017|work=Richmond FC|publisher=Bigpond|date=14 July 2015}} He played his 100th match for Richmond that year, in a Round 20 match against {{AFL GC}}.

Grigg played parts of the 2016 season in a new role as an inside midfielder.{{cite book|last1=Marshall|first1=Konrad|title=Yellow & Black: A Season with Richmond|date=15 November 2016|publisher=Slattery Media Group|location=Melbourne, Victoria, Australia|isbn=9780987342898|page=184}} In the 2016 pre-season Grigg suffered a fractured left thumb.{{cite news|last1=Cahill|first1=Georgina|title=Grigg eyes off early return|url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2016-03-16/grigg-eyes-of-early-return|access-date=8 January 2017|work=Richmond FC|publisher=Bigpond|date=16 March 2016}} He defied initial expectations to return to fitness for the club's Round 2 match against Collingwood, missing just one match in the process.{{cite web|title=Round 2 2016 – Collingwood vs Richmond|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2016/041420160401.html|website=AFL Tables|access-date=8 January 2017}} Grigg recorded a career-high 38 disposals in Richmond's Round 11 loss to {{AFL NM}}.{{cite web|title=Round 11 2016 – North Melbourne vs Richmond|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2016/121420160603.html|website=AFL Tables|access-date=8 January 2017}} He went on to play in a total of 20 matches that season. Grigg earned his second Kevin Bartlett Medal in 2016, after placing fourth at the club for disposals, tackles and clearances as well as second in inside 50 entries.{{cite news|last1=Greenberg|first1=Tony|title=Dusty's Jack Triumph|url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2016-09-08/2016-jack-dyer-medal-winner|access-date=13 September 2016|work=Richmond FC|publisher=Bigpond|date=8 September 2016}}{{cite web|title=2016 Stats|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/2016.html#14|website=AFL Tables|access-date=13 September 2016}}

In 2017, Richmond coach Damien Hardwick labelled Grigg the smartest footballer at Richmond, noting his ability to 'read the game' a fraction faster than others.{{cite book|last1=Marshall|first1=Konrad|title=Yellow & Black: A Season with Richmond|date=15 November 2016|publisher=Slattery Media Group|location=Melbourne, Victoria, Australia|isbn=9780987342898|page=182}} By that season he was the oldest player in Richmond's regular AFL team and the second oldest contracted player at the club behind only Ivan Maric.{{cite book|last1=Marshall|first1=Konrad|title=Yellow & Black: A Season with Richmond|date=15 November 2016|publisher=Slattery Media Group|location=Melbourne, Victoria, Australia|isbn=9780987342898|page=186}}

Grigg suffered a hamstring strain in the lead-up to round 7, 2018 and missed that match as a result.{{cite news|title=Tough Tiger Grigg sidelined for AFL clash|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/tough-tiger-grigg-sidelined-for-afl-clash|access-date=13 May 2018|work=SBS.com.au|agency=AAP|publisher=SBS|date=4 May 2018}} He was considered a "touch and go" chance to play the following week but ultimately missed his second straight match.{{cite news|last1=Navaratnam|first1=Dinny|title=Injured Tigers mid paying for late start|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-05-11/injured-tigers-mid-paying-for-late-start-hardwick|access-date=13 May 2018|work=AFL Media|publisher=Telstra Media|date=11 May 2018}}{{cite news|title=AFL Teams, Round 8: Full squads, team lists, ins, outs, injuries, benches and SuperCoach news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-teams-round-8-full-squads-team-lists-ins-outs-injuries-benches-and-supercoach-news/news-story/b8a8062a7a38075a450c7445cdf6e636?nk=07278f22f6af08c06139da0b4309021e-1526254069|access-date=13 May 2018|publisher=Fox Sports|date=11 May 2018}} He made his return in round 9, called up as a late-replacement for first-year forward Jack Higgins.{{cite news|title=Grigg comes in for Eagles clash|url=http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2018-05-20/grigg-comes-in-for-eagles-clash|access-date=21 May 2018|work=Richmond FC|publisher=Telstra Media|date=20 May 2018}}

On 14 May 2019, Grigg announced his immediate retirement from AFL football, having failed to play a match at any level that season due to persistent knee and hip injures.{{cite news |title=Grigg calls time |url=https://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2019-05-14/grigg-announcement |access-date=14 May 2019 |work=Richmond FC |publisher=Telstra Media |date=14 May 2019}} His decision to retire mid-season allowed Richmond a list spot to use at the 2019 mid-season rookie draft, which was used to recruit eventual 2019 premiership player Marlion Pickett.{{cite news |title=AFL grand final: Richmond's Shaun Grigg sacrificed his career so Marlion Pickett could launch his |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-29/shaun-grigg-sacrificed-his-career-marlion-pickett-launches-his/11558086 |access-date=4 November 2019 |publisher=ABC News |agency=AAP |date=29 September 2019}}{{cite news |title=If not for Shaun Grigg's mid-season retirement, Marlion Pickett wouldn't be playing on GF day |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-grand-final-marlion-pickett-debut-first-game-afl-shaun-grigg-richmond/news-story/3eacf606db899ae4a4a58696d1c6b303 |access-date=4 November 2019 |publisher=Fox Sports }}

He concluded his career having played 214 AFL matches.

In October 2019, Grigg joined the Geelong Football Club coaching panel as a development coach.{{cite news |last1=Whiting |first1=Michael |title=Flag Tiger heads down the highway to start coaching career |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/2019-10-02/flag-tiger-shaun-grigg-heads-down-the-highway-to-start-coaching-career |access-date=4 November 2019 |work=AFL Media |publisher=Telstra Media |date=2 October 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Robinson |first1=Mark |title=When Geelong secured Shaun Grigg as a development coach, the Cats also picked up a whole bunch of intelligence on the Tigers |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/when-geelong-secured-shaun-grigg-as-a-development-coach-the-cats-also-picked-up-a-whole-bunch-of-intelligence-on-the-tigers/news-story/e5f2c8cb0c8ea93cbdece4725017aa03 |access-date=4 November 2019 |work=Herald Sun |date=23 October 2019}}

{{AFL player statistics legend}}

{{AFL player statistics start}}

|-

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2007

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Car}}

| 16 || 5 || 0 || 1 || 28 || 31 || 59 || 17 || 3 || 0.0 || 0.2 || 5.6 || 6.2 || 11.8 || 3.4 || 0.6

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2008

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Car}}

| 16 || 20 || 4 || 5 || 164 || 150 || 314 || 81 || 42 || 0.2 || 0.3 || 8.2 || 7.5 || 15.7 || 4.1 || 2.1

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2009

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Car}}

| 16 || 10 || 3 || 5 || 94 || 102 || 196 || 32 || 29 || 0.3 || 0.5 || 9.4 || 10.2 || 19.6 || 3.2 || 2.9

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2010

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Car}}

| 16 || 8 || 3 || 2 || 82 || 90 || 172 || 42 || 25 || 0.4 || 0.3 || 10.3 || 11.3 || 21.5 || 5.3 || 3.1

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2011

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 6 || 21 || 6 || 10 || 271 || 190 || 461 || 107 || 57 || 0.3 || 0.5 || 12.9 || 9.0 || 22.0 || 5.1 || 2.7

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2012

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 6 || 22 || 18 || 10 || 322 || 239 || 561 || 133 || 44 || 0.8 || 0.5 || 14.6 || 10.9 || 25.5 || 6.0 || 2.0

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2013

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 6 || 23 || 15 || 10 || 281 || 204 || 485 || 139 || 74 || 0.7 || 0.4 || 12.2 || 8.9 || 21.1 || 6.0 || 3.2

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2014

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 6 || 15 || 3 || 6 || 151 || 156 || 307 || 64 || 36 || 0.2 || 0.4 || 10.1 || 10.4 || 20.5 || 4.3 || 2.4

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2015

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 6 || 23 || 16 || 10 || 259 || 229 || 488 || 105 || 98 || 0.7 || 0.4 || 11.3 || 10.0 || 21.2 || 4.6 || 4.3

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2016

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 6 || 20 || 10 || 7 || 257 || 229 || 486 || 106 || 72 || 0.5 || 0.4 || 12.9 || 11.5 || 24.3 || 5.3 || 3.6

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2017

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 6 || 25 || 15 || 13 || 322 || 255 || 577 || 131 || 94 || 0.6 || 0.5 || 12.9 || 10.2 || 23.1 || 5.2 || 3.8

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2018

|style="text-align:center;"|{{AFL Ric}}

| 6 || 22 || 3 || 5 || 238 || 217 || 455 || 97 || 64 || 0.1 || 0.2 || 10.8 || 9.9 || 20.7 || 4.4 || 2.9

|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center" | 2019

|{{AFL Ric}}

| 6 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|- class="sortbottom"

! colspan=3| Career{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/S/Shaun_Grigg.html|title=Shaun Grigg|publisher=AFL Tables|access-date=6 January 2017}}

! 214

! 96

! 84

! 2469

! 2092

! 4561

! 1054

! 638

! 0.4

! 0.4

! 11.5

! 9.8

! 21.3

! 4.9

! 3.0

|}

In 2011 Grigg was a member of the Australian squad for a two match International rules series against Ireland and played two matches.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/125092/default.aspx |title=Cool Cats lead young Aussies|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020111910/http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/125092/default.aspx|archive-date=20 October 2011|date=14 October 2011|first=Jennifer|url-status=dead |last=Witham}}{{cite web|title=Australia v Ireland since 1967|url=http://footystats.freeservers.com/Footystats/Aust-Ireland.html#2011|website=FootyStats|access-date=4 November 2017}}

Team

• AFL premiership player ({{AFL Ric}}): 2017
• McClelland Trophy ({{AFL Ric}}): 2018

Individual

• 2× Kevin Bartlett Medal (5th RFC B&F): 2012, 2016
• AFL Rising Star nominee: 2008

Junior

• U-18 All-Australian: 2006

Grigg is married to wife Sarah. The couple had their first child, Sonny, in June 2014. They had a second son, Spencer Leigh, in December 2017.{{cite tweet |user=shaungrigg6 |number=946242280196919297 |date=28 December 2017 |title=Welcome to the world Spencer Leigh Grigg. Both mum and the little fella are doing well}}

He is a part-owner in multiple SpudBar franchise restaurants.{{cite news|title=GRIGG TURNS SPUDS INTO BUSINESS SUCCESS|url=http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/grigg-turns-spuds-into-business-success/|access-date=13 May 2018|work=AFL Players Association|date=14 August 2015}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Richplayer}}
• {{AFL Tables|ref=S/Shaun_Grigg.html}}
• [http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pp-richmond-tigers--shaun-grigg Shaun Grigg's statistics] from Footy Wire

{{2017 Richmond premiership players}}

{{2008 AFL Rising Star nominees}}

{{2011 Australian international rules team}}

{{2006 AFL national draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Grigg, Shaun}}

Category:1988 births

Category:Living people

Category:Carlton Football Club players

Category:Northern Bullants players

Category:Richmond Football Club players

Category:Richmond Football Club premiership players

Category:Australian rules footballers from Victoria (state)

Category:Greater Western Victoria Rebels players

Category:Redan Football Club players

Category:People educated at St Patrick's College, Ballarat

Category:Australia international rules football team players

Category:VFL/AFL premiership players

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen